^’UNHHINE  , 
AMONG  THE 
MOUNTAINS 


Acornley 


i.  ■ 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


https://archive.org/details/sunshineamongmouOOacor 


Wsltini 

7\ 


l^monu  tlje  : 


OR, 


THE  YOUNG  PASTOR'S  WIFE 

BEING 


MEMORIALS 

OF 


MRS.  AGNES  REBECCA  ACORNLEY, 

WIFE  OF  EE\^.  JOHN  H.  ACORNLEY. 


HER  HUSBAND. 


A 

You  may  break,  you  may  nun,  the  vase,  if  you  ttIII,  S 
* But  the  scent  of  the  roses  will  hang  round  it  still.** 

V.  

12589^ 

HOWAKD  DAISLET,  PUBLISHER: 

PRIMITIVE  METHODIST  BOOK  DEPOT 


T5  Fulton  Street,  Brooklyn,  L.  I. 

1876. 


FRT.BS  07  P.  BARNES,  16  CORTLANDT 


STREET,  N. 


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s/yl'^1 

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Soil  «R* 

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IN  AFFECTIONATE  REMEMBR.INGE  OE 

llTu  ^ftUfe- 

MTIO  WAS  FOK  SE^2EN  YEARS  :MY  DAILY  COMPANION 
AMID  TOILS  AND  TRIALS, 

AND  THE  SHARER  OP  ALL  MY  JOYS  AND  SORROWS, 

THIS  HUMBLE  TRIBUTE  OF  LOVE' 

IS  INSCRIBED 

nV  HER  BEREAVED  AND  SORROWING  HCSBAND. 


125893 


PREFACE. 


Of  the  writing  of  books  there  is  no  end  ; and  some 
may  be  ready  to  ask  “ Why  write  another  ? The 
world  is  full  of  books  of  this  character ! ” Our  only 
answer  is,  that  Christian  biography  is  an  important 
branch  of  religious  literature,  as  it  affords  the  devout 
reader  incentives  to  higher  aims  and  nobler  actions. 

Christians  are  said  to  be  like  town-clocks ; all  eyes 
are  turned  upon  them,  and  the  actions  of  those  who 
are  not  Christians  are  often  guided  by  them.  It  is 
as  important  that  the  inner  lives  of  quieter  and  more 
unobtrusive  Christians  be  held  up  as  examples  for 
the  imitation  of  others,  as  it  is  for  the  lives  of 
greater  and  more  ostentatious  men  and  women  to 
be  recorded. 

It  is  not  the  thunder  with  all  its  roar  that  fells  the 
mighty  forest-king — the  oak— but  the  noiseless  light- 
ning’s flash.  The  glorious  sunshine  which  is  such  a 
powerful  force  in  nature — producing  the  most  stu- 


VI  PREFACE. 

penclous  results — comes  to  us  in  the  most  gentle, 
peaceful,  and  unpretentious  guise.  The  feathery  flakes 
of  snow  which  tliread  their  way  through  the  atmos- 
phere, as  though  they  were  too  filmy  to  yield  to 
the  demands  of  gravity,  clothing  the  earth  with  a 
carpet,  soft  as  the  most  e.xcjuisitely  wrought  brussels, 
falls  softly  and  silently  upon  the  earth,  imparting  a 
charm  and  beauty  to  everything  visible.  The  rock 
which  has  silently  stood  the  blast  of  a thousand  years; 
the  brook  or  river  which  has  for  ages  quietly  murmured 
along  its  bed ; the  lo\’ely  flowers  which  grow  by  the 
wayside,  lifting  their  tiny  ])etals  to  the  sun,  and  emit- 
ting refreshing  odors  ; the  forest  with  its  myriad  leaves 
— nature’s  mammoth  library — all  are  quietly  waiting 
to  impart  lessons  of  wisdom  and  love. 

'I'hus  it  is  with  the  lives  of  virtuous  and  humble 
Christians.  'I'hey  may  not  have  taken  leading  patjs 
in  life’s  great  drama,  but  they  may  have  filled  some  of 
those  minor — though  none  the  less  important — places, 
without  which  the  play  would  be  incomplete.  They 
may  not  have  astonished  the  world  with  the  thunder 
of  their  actions,  but  the  lightning’s  flash  of  their  vir- 
tuous deeds  may  have  leveled  some  sturdy  oak  of  sin 
to  the  ground.  They  may  not  have  swept  over  the 
earth  like  a mighty  rushing  wind,  or  a moral  avalanche, 


PREFACE. 


Vll 


bearing  down  the  opposing  force  of  hell  but  like  the 
gentle,  glorious  sunshine,  the  unpretentious  light  of 
their  useful  lives  has  diffused  its  rays  all  around ; and 
those  rays,  insinuating  themselves  into  the  charnel 
house  of  sin,  have  filled  it  with  light,  and  peace,  and 
sweetness,  and  joy.  The  record  of  the  inner  lives  of 
God’s  glorified  children  is  the  very  poetry  of  our 
religion.  It  is  the  casket  of  gems, they  have  accu- 
mulated— some  perhaps,  not  of  the  first  water — but 
magnificent  gems  after  all.  It  is  the  bouquet  of  flowers 
they  have  gathered — some,  perhaps,  not  the  most 
odorous  or  pretty — but  sweet,  beautiful  flowers  after 
all.  The  casket  which  contains  the  gems  may  be  rude 
and  unpolished,  but  it  holds  them.  The  thread  which 
ties  the  bouquet  may  not  be  of  silk,  but  it  binds  the 
flowers  together. 

Thus  our  work  may  have  been  imperfectly  accom- 
plished, and  some  may  think  that  we  have  given  too 
much  prominence  to  matters  of  small  import ; but 
we  believe  that  “ it  is  lines  and  shadings  and  such  like 
apparent  trivialities  that  make  all  the  difference  be- 
tween an  expressionless  and  a life-like  portrait.”  So 
that  even  minute  matters  may,  after  all,  sometimes 
be  worth  noting. 

We  do  not  claim  anv  literarv  merit  for  our  work. 


PREFACE. 


viii 

Defects  and  imperfections  it  has  many.  We  would 
therefore  ask  the  indulgent  reader  to  waive  severe 
criticism,  and  to  bear  in  mind  the  purpose  we  have  in 
view,  viz : to  offer  an  humble  tribute  of  love  in  affec- 
tionate remembrance  of  one  who  has  shared  joys  and 
sorrows  with  us,  as  we  have  walked  together  life’s 
uneven  path.  We  also  indulge  the  hope,  that  this 
simple  recital  will  be  the  means  of  leading  some  who 
shall  read  it,  to  a nearer  acquaintance  with  our  com- 
mon Lord  and  Master.  May  it  be  so.  Amen  ! 

J.  H.  A. 

WlI.LIAMSTOWN, 

Dauphin  County,  Pa., 

July  15th,  18V6. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Parentage,  Birth,  Childhood. 

Only  those  who  have  been  pre-eminently  notable  are  by  some 
esteemed — No  such  material  here — In  a temple  the  stones  not  all 
alike — More  likely  to  imitate  the  common  lessons  of  life  than  the 
extreme  and  dazzling' — Birth — Parentage — Paisley  Abbey — Sound- 
ing AISLE— Martyr’s  stone— Preston— Birth-place  of  temperance 
movement— Home  influences— Child  of  many  prayers. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Youthful  Career  and  Conversion. 

Resides  with  her  father’s  mother— Grandmother’s  influence  and 
training— Conversion— Such  a change  in  such  an  individual  differ- 
ent to  a like  change  in  an  old  sinner — All  sold  under  sin — Residence 
with  Rev.  H.  Wheeler — Letters  from  Miss  Baugh — Enters  service 
—Shore  Hall — Holling'worth  Lake— Found  many  friends— Letter 
to  Mr.  C.  Crawford — Rochdale — Favored  with  occasional  services 
of  Methodist  celebrities— Anecdote  of  Rev.  John  Verity — P.  M. 
minister  Imprisoned — Commenced  a school — Affectionate  inter- 
course with  her  scholars — Visits  Elizabeth  C.  the  child  of  an  infidel 
— The  monotony  of  daily  and  nightly  teaching  not  held  as  an  ex- 
cuse for  neglecting  Sunday  School— Elocutionai-y  powers. 


X 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  lir. 

COlUlTSHtP. 

Coiii'tsliii)  often  modestly  veiled  over  in  religions  publications 
— If  (lone  properly  will  bear  referring-  to— Extract  of  letter— con- 
sent of  parents  necessai-y— Correspondence — A jieriod  like  this 
interesting-  and  fascinating-  to  young  persons— Extract— Manj-  find 
])leasuro  in  lavish  expressions — Not  so  her  correspondence — Let- 
ters—Thoughts  about  entering-  the  ministry— Letter  on  the  sub- 
ject. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

Mauiuage  and  Setteement  in  AmEUIC'A. 

Jlarriage — Atfection  for  her  husband’s  family— Family  altar — 
Pecuniary  circumstances— Death  of  her  father-in-law— Letter 
f)-om  Kev.  ,Tohn  Oscroft— Note  to  her  father— Her  husbami  emi- 
grates to  America— Philadelphia— Joins  her  husband  in  America — 
Correspondence— Mrs.  Acoruley’s  early  impressions  of  her  adopted 
country — Correspondence— Cheerfulness— Sickness  of  her  child— 
.loins  the  M.  E.  Chuich— Tamaqua. 


CHAPTER  V. 

As  Minister’s  IVife. 

Enters  the  mini.strj  — First  aiipointment— Mount  Carmel— tVatch- 
ful  interest  in  the  Society’s  progress— Church  burnt— Bcnei’olent 
tavern  keeper— Letter  from  Mrs.  George— Annual  Conference- 
Remoi'al — AVyoming — First  missionary —Mineral  AVealth— False  im- 
lu-essions— Miners— Religion  flourishes— Moral  sunshine— Miner’s 
song— Mrs.  Acornles'  eminently  fitted  for  ministei'’s  wife — A good 
minister’s  wife  a benefit  to  the  community — Qualities  she  ought 
to  possess — Baptist  magazine — Good  taste— Love  of  flowers- Atfec- 
tion and  peace  in  her  home — Baby’s  death- Feeble  health— pur- 
poses I'isiting  England— Disappointment— Extracts  from  corres- 
])ondenco — Matcwnal  anxiety — Accident  to  her  father- Kindness 
of  friends— AVooden  wedding  — Sui'i)rise  party  — Morris  Run  — 


CONTENTS. 


XI 


Hearty  welcome—Sickness — Childish  ennilort— Breaii  cast  upon 
the  -waters — Band  of  Crusaders — Acts  of  kindnessr— Her  I’eligion  of 
a practical  character — Fond  of  singing. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

Sickness  and  Death. 

Fourth  of  July — An.xiety  to  see  tlie  Sunday  School  children — 
Offei-s  her  child  to  Cod  in  haptism — Taken  sick— Gradually  woi-se 
—Last  conversation  with  her  husband — Her  father  and  sister  sent 
for— Husband  took  sick — An.viety  of  friends— Mind  wanders- In- 
tense suffering'— Passed  awaj'— Gone  to  be  with  Jesus— Our  loss 
great — Letter  from  brother  William— Funeral. 


CHAPTER  VII. 

REMEMBIiANCE  AND  CONDOLENCE. 

The  wise  man's  description  of  a virtuous  woman— Watchful 
Providence— Sweet  thoughts  of  comfort — Letters  of  sympath;s' — 
Preamble  and  Resolutions  adopted  by  Good  Templars— Letters 
of  condolence- Longing-  to  see  the  land  of  our  birth— Set  saU— 
Arrival  in  England— Encouragement  and  sympathy— Finis. 


CHAPTER  I. 


PARENTAGE,  BIRTH,  CHILDHOOD. 

“ Yes,  ’tls  our  duty,  and  our  interest  too, 

Such  monuments,  as  we  can  huild,  to  raise.” 

“ How  then  shall  I begin,  or  where  conclude, 

To  draw  a fame  so  truly  cii’cular?” 

“ ’Tis  paradise  to  look 
On  the  fair  frontispiece  of  Nature’s  book ; 

If  the  first  opening-  page  so  charms  the  sight. 

Think  how  th’  unfolded  volume  will  delight!  ” 

Dryden. 

In  reading  the  lives  of  individuals  some  persons 
esteem  only  such  worthy  of  perusal  as  have  been  pre- 
eminently notable,  such  as  great  warriors,  statesmen, 
travelers,  philosophers,  philanthropists,  and  invent- 
ors ; or,  someone  profound  in  learning,  high  in  fame, 
deeply  pious,  or  notoriously  wicked  ; in  short,  such 
as  have  done  something  which  will  dazzle  the  eye, 
tickle  the  ear,  or  produce  a sensation  in  the  feelings. 
The  subject  of  the  following  pages,  however,  formed 
material  for  no  such  memoir.  The  life  of  a plain, 
but  earnest  young  Christian  woman  is  the  matter  to 
be  brought  under  review. 


14 


SitnsJiine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 


In  a magnificent  tabernacle  or  temple  the  stones 
are  not  all  exciuisitely  carved,  yet  the  plain  ones  are 
calculated  to  fill  useful  positions.  They  are  not  all 
great  stones,  yet  the  small  ones  cannot  be  dispensed 
with.  They  are  not  all  in  the  front,  or  on  the  out- 
side of  the  building;  there  are  many  obscure  and 
hidden  ones,  all  of  which  have  been  fashioned  by 
labor,  and  appointed  to  a useful  place.  The  Great 
Creator,  in  his  wise  economy  of  nature,  has  seen  fit 
to  make  more  pebbles  than  diamonds,  and  more 
grasses  than  flowers.  Human  beings  find  that  it 
answers  their  health  better  to  drink  more  freely  of 
water  than  nectar,  and  to  eat. more  heartily  of  bread 
than  sweetmeats  and  confectionery.  So  the  common 
lessons  of  life  are  really  what  we  are  more  likely  to 
imitate  than  the  extreme,  dazzling,  and  extraordinary 
lives  of  persons  of  which  there  may  be  but  one  in  an 
age,  or  a few  in  a nation. 

My  dear  wife,  whose  maiden  name  was  Agnes 
Rebecca  Whillock,  was  born  April  21st,  1847,  in  the 
town  of  Paisley,  Scotland.  Her  father,  the  Rev. 
Benjamin  Whillock,  was  a Primitive  Methodist  Min- 
ister, who  preached  in  a hall  which  was  part  of  the 
old  abbey;  another  part  being  used  as  the  parish, 
or  old  abbey  church.  A portion  also  lay  in  ruins. 
The  walls  of  said  ruins  were  not  many  feet  high. 
One  wing  of  the  building  was  occupied  as  dwellings, 
while  what  had  been  built  as  a private  chapel,  a kind 
of  wing  of  the  abbey  church;  went  by  the  name  of 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife.  ij 

the  Sounding  Aisle.  This  chapel  had  been  built  and 
dedicated  to  St.  Mirren  by  James  Crawford,  of  Kel- 
wynnet,  burgess  of  Paisley,  and  Elizabeth  Galbraith 
his  wife.  It  was  endowed  by  its  founders,  with 
salary  for  priests,  who  were  to  reside  constantly  there 
to  perform  mass,  and  pray  night  and  day  for  the 
souls  of  the  endowers  while  time  lasted.  AVhat  has 
become  of  the  revenue,  or  the  priest,  I do  not  know. 
When  the  Scotch  reformation  resulted  in  the  estab- 
lishment of  Presbyterian  instead  of  Roman  Catholic 
churches,  praying  for  dead  people  went  out  of  fash- 
ion. In  this  Aisle  is  the  tomb  of  Marjory  Bruce,  or, 
as  she  was  called,  on  account  of  a defect  in  her  eyes. 
Queen  Blearie,  who  died  from  a fall  she  sustained 
while  hunting  near  Paisley. 

“In  ii6o,  or  1164,  Walter  founded  the  abbey  of 
Paisley  for  Clunic  monks  from  Wenlock  in  Shropshire, 
England,  from  whence  he  came.  The  motives  which 
induced  Walter  to  build  Paisley  Abbey  may  be  gath- 
ered from  the  charter  of  the  foundation  of  that  place, 
from  which  we  extract  the  following ‘ Know  all 
present  and  to  come,  that  I,  Walter,  son  of  x\llan, 
steward  of  the  king  of  Scotland,  for  the  soul  of  King 
David,  of  King  Henry,  and  of  Earl  Henry,  and  for 
the  souls  of  all  my  parents  and  benefactors,  and  for 
the  salvation  of  the  body  and  soul  of  King  Malcolm, 
and  of  myself,  to  the  honor  of  God,  and  by  the 
power  of  his  grace,  shall  establish  a certain  house  of 
devotion  below  my  lands  at  Paisley,  according  to  the 


i6 


Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 


order  of  the  brethren  of  Wenlock ; that  is,  according 
to  the  order  of  the  monks  of  Clugny.’  ” 

In  the  Paisley  cemetery,  behind  the  martyr’s 
church,  is  tlie  Martyr's  Stone,  from  which  m'C  learn, 
that  the  bodies  of  James  Agie  and  John  Park  lie 
here,  who  suffered  at  the  cross  of  Paisley  for  refusing 
the  oath  of  abjuration,  February  3d,  1685. 


“ stay,  passenger,  as  tlioii  g'oest  by, 

And  take  a look  wliere  these  do  lie 
Who  for  the  love  they  bare  the  truth. 
Were  depriv’d  of  their  life  and  youth. 

Tho’  laws  made  then,  caused  many  die 
•Judges  and  ’sizers  were  not  free 
He  that  to  them  did  these  delate. 

The  greater  count  he  hath  to  make : 

Yet  no  e.xcuse  to  them  can  be. 

At  ten  condemn’d,  at  two  to  die. 

So  cruel  did  their  rage  become. 

To  stop  their  speech  caused  beat  the  drum 
This  may  a standing'  witness  be 
’Twixt  Presbyt’ry  and  Prelacy.” 


The  town  of  Paisley,  which  is  also  noted  for  the 
manufacture  of  superior  shawls,  claims  the  honor  of 
being  the  birth  place  of  the  Rev.  Colin  Campbell 
McKechnie,  the  distinguished  and  able  connexional 
editor. 

Mrs.  Acornley’s  mother,  whose  maiden  name  was 
Caroline  Lea,  was  a native  of  Preston,  Lancashire, 
England.  Preston  is  a*large  manufacturing  town  on 
the  banks  of  the  river  Ribble.  “ Here  the  temperance 
movement  took — about  forty  years  ago — that  definite 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife,  IJ 

form  which  now  passes  under  the  nameof  Teetotalism, 
a term  which,  although  by  no  means  euphonious,  and 
resulting  from  a stammering  articulation,  covers  a 
principle  which,  while  physiologically  sound,  and  in 
harmony  with  the  teachings  of  the  word  of  God  and 
the  material  and  moral  well-being  of  man,  is  com- 
mending itself  increasingly  to  the  judgment  of- 
statesmen,  patriots,  philanthropists,  and  Christians 
generally.”  Here,  also,  the  Rev.  George  Lamb,  one 
of  the  stalwart  pillars  in  the  Primitive  Methodist 
Church,  first  saw  the  light  of  day. 

Miss  Lea  was  converted  when  quite  young,  and 
became  a member  of  the  Primitive  Methodist  Church, 
Saul  Street,  of  that  town.  She  was  an  intelligent, 
warm-hearted,  pious  young  person. 

In  July,  1846,  the  Rev.  William  Antliff  (now  D.D. 
and  Principal  of  the  Sunderland  Theological  Insti- 
tute) united  her  in  the  bonds  of  holy  wedlock  to  the 
Rev.  B.  Whillock.  The  following  day  the  young 
couple  bade  an  affectionate  farewell  to  their  friends, 
and  departed  for  Paisley,  their  new  ministerial  sta- 
tion. This  part  of  the  south-west  of  Scotland  had 
an  atmosphere  damp  and  foggy.  Mrs.  Whillock 
manifested  symptoms  of  asthma,  accompanied  by  a 
cough  which  (a  few  weeks  before  the  birth  of  her 
who  afterwards  became  Mrs.  Acornley)  resulted  in 
the  breaking  of  a blood  vessel  in  the  lungs.  Medi- 
cal aid  was  called  in,  and  medicine  of  an  astringent 
nature  administered.  While  this  stayed  the  dis- 


2 


1 8 Sunshine  Ammg  the  Mountains  ; 

charge  from  the  lungs  it  increased  the  cough;  the 
maternal  time  of  anxiety  came  on,  and  the  lives  of 
both  mother  and  infant  hung  in  doubt ; yet  the  good 
Lord  brought  them  both  through.  Nevertheless 
the  mother  endured  a continued  affliction.  The 
climate  was  deemed  against  her  health,  therefore 
the  Annual  Conference  complied  with  a request  from 
Mr.  Whillock  to  remove  him  from  Scotland.  How- 
ever, her  health  was  never  perfectly  restored.  She 
died  at  Wrexham,  North  Wales,  and  was  interred  in 
the  Baptist  Cemetery,  where  an  inscription  on  her 
grave  stone  will  briefly  tell  her  character  and  death  : 

UNDEUNEATH 

lie  the  mortal  remains  of 
CAROLINE, 

EATE  WIFE  OF  BENJAMIN  WHILLOCK, 

Primitive  Methodist  Minister, 

She  was  horn  December  13th,  1833, 
and,  after  a 

protracted  affliction,  departed  this  life 
July  13th,  1849. 

Throug’h  the  blood  of  Christ  she  knew,  whilst  young,  that 
her  sins  were  forgiven,  and  in  death  the  faith 
of  Jesus  gave  her  assurance,  resig- 
nation, and  peace. 

As  a Wife  she  was  affectionate  and  dutiful. 

As  a Mother  fli-m  and  kind. 

As  a Christian  steadfast  and  unassuming. 

For  some  years  before  Mrs.  Acornley’s  birth  her 
parents  had  been  practical  total  abstainers  from  all 
intoxicating  drinks,  and  so  continued ; thus,  as  a 
matter  of  course  their  child  was  led  in  the  paths  of 


Or,  the  Yotmg  Pastor  s Wife. 


true  temperance,  hence  she  became  a life  abstainer, 
and  as  her  years  increased,  temperance  principles, 
meetings  and  successes  became  subjects  of  great 
interest  to  her. 

Prior  even  to  her  birth  her  parents  besought  the 
Lord  to  accept  the  child  as  a living  servant  and  sac- 
rifice, and  ever  afterwards  she  was  the  subject  of 
many  supplications.  From  the  first  at  home,  and 
among  her  other  associations  she  was  encircled  with 
a chain  of  religious  circumstances.  Thus  she  heard 
of  heaven  and  learnt  the  way.  At  an  early  date 
she  was  taught  the  personal  duty  of  prayer,  and  was 
led  to  realize  that 

“ Praj’Br  is  the  Christian’s  ^ntal  breath. 

The  Christian’s  natiTO  air, 

His  watchword  at  the  g-ates  of  death, 

He  enters  Heaven  with  prayer.” 

As  a matter  of  course  appropriate  passages  of  Scrip- 
ture were  committed  to  memory,  such  as  the  follow- 
ing words  of  the  wise  man,  which  were  taught  her  as 
part  of  her  morning  and  evening  prayers  : — “Two 
things  have  I required  of  thee,  deny  them  me  not 
before  I die,  remove  far  from  me  vanity  and  lies; 
give  me  neither  poverty  nor  riches,  feed  me  with 
food  convenient  for  me,  lest  I be  full,  and  deny  thee, 
and  say  who  is  the  Lord  t or  lest  I be  poor  and 
steal,  and  take  the  name  of  my  God  in  vain.”  Prov. 
ch.  XXX,  7-9. 


20  Shmhim  Among  the  Mountains  : 


CHAPTER  IT 

YOUTHFUL  CAREEl'i  AND  CONVERSION, 

“ ’Tis  not  for  man  to  trifle.  Life  Is  brief, 

And  sin  is  Here. 

An  ag’o  Is  but  the  falling  of  a leaf — 

A dropping  tear. 

We  have  no  time  to  .sport  away  the  hours; 

All  must  be  earnest  in  a world  like  ours. 

“ N ot  many  lives,  but  only  one  have  we — 

Frail,  fleeting  man  I 

Ho\y  sacred  should  that  one  life  ea^er  be— 

That  narrow  span ! 

Day  after  day,  filled  up  with  blessed  toil. 

Hour  after  hour,  still  bnnging  in  new  spoil.” 

Dr.  Bonar. 

In  after  time  domestic  circumstances  in  Mr. 
Whillock’s  family  rendered  it  expedient,  during 
girlhood,  for  Agnes  to  live  considerably  with  her 
father’s  mother,  Mrs.  Tranter,  who  was  a member 
of  the  Primitive  Methodist  Society  in  Birmingham. 
Through  her  grandmother’s  influence  and  training 
she  was  early  taught  the  duty  of  “ Searching  the 
Scriptures,”  punctuality  at  the  Sunday-school,  and 
attendance  at  the  services  of  the  sanctuary.  Who 
can  fully  estimate  the  moral  and  spiritual  power  of 


21 


Or,  the  Yon?tg  Pastor  s Wife. 

such  surroundings  ? In  this  case  the  labor  was  not 
in.  vain.  Such  was  her  affectionate  attachment  to  her 
dear  grandmother,  that  her  young  mind  was  readily 
opened  to  receive  those  lessons  of  wisdom  and  piety 
which  that  dear  aged  grandparent  was  constantly 
imparting.  And  in  after  years  she  would  look  back 
to  this  time  and  speak  of  it  as  being  the  happiest  pe- 
riod of  her  youthful  career.  When  she  was  about 
eleven  years  of  age  there  was  a religious  awakening 
among  the  Primitive  Methodists  in  Birmingham,  and 
it  was  at  this  time  and  place  when  she  professed 
(with  other  young  persons)  to  venture  her  all  on  the 
Atonement  of  Christ,  thus  rendering  her  heart  and 
life  to  Jesus.  No  wonder  now  that  her  affection  for 
the  courts  of  God’s  house  became  more  fervent;  but, 
in  such  a case  as  hers,  the  change  called  conversion 
did  not  contrast  so  much  with  her  previous  life,  sim- 
ply because  of  her  youth,  and  her  former  religious 
and  moral  habits  and  associations.  Such  a change 
in  such  an  individual  is  of  course  very  different  to  a 
like  change  in  an  old  sinner,  whose  life  has  been  far 
from  righteousness,  who,  when  he  is  translated  out 
of  the  kingdom  of  darkness  into  the  kingdom  of 
God’s  dear  son,  becomes  a wonder  to  many,  and 
also  to  himself.  Yet  whether  it  be  the  young  or 
the  aged,  the  moral  or  the  profane,  the  Sabbath- 
scholar  or  the  street  Arab,  the  fifty  pence  debtor  or 
one  who  owes  five  thousand  talents,  each  is  under 
condemnation,  all  are  sold  under  sin,  every  one  is 


23 


SuJisJnne  Among  the  Mounfains ; 


guilty  before  God.  As  none  can  be  justified  hy 
works,  all  need  the  new  birth  unto  righteo-usness, 
and  except  they  are  converted  and  become  as  little 
children  they  cannot  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  God. 
From  this  time  her  attachment  to  God’s  house  deep- 
ened, and  she  manifested  a growing  interest  in  the 
Sunday  School.  This  formed,  to  a certain  extent, 
her  character,  and  influenced  to  a considerable  de- 
gree her  future  career. 

Subsequently  to  this  she  resided  with  her  uncle, 
the  Rev.  Henry  Wheeler,  while  he  was  stationed  at 
Macclesfield,  Cheshire,  with  whom  a true  Christian 
feeling  ever  after  subsisted,  as  will  be  seen  by  ex- 
tracts of  correspondence  from  Mr.  Wheeler  in  a 
subsequent  page. 

Mrs.  ykcornley  had  corresjwndence  with  many 
friends  during  her  youth,  but  seeing  that  we  do 
not  possess  those  letters  she  dispatched,  a few  of 
the  answers  she  received  will  indicate  the  character 
of  her  friends,  and  the  nature  of  the  correspondence. 
One  or  two  extracts  will  illustrate.  A pious  young 
woman,  residing  at  Dawley,  Shropshire,  was  one 
among  her  acquaintances.  On  the  20th  of  April, 
1863,  Miss  Baugh  wrote: 

“ My  very  dear  and  affectionate  friend  : 

“ I am  so  very  glad  to  hear 

that  you  are  among  kind  friends,  and  that  you  are 
so  happy.  There  is  an  old  proverb  which  says 


23 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife. 

‘ In  the  fear  of  the  Lord  there  is  strong  confi- 
dence ; and  his  children  shall  have  a place  of  refuge. 
Commit  thy  way  unto  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  direct 
thy  path.’  When  I go  to  school  I feel  very  strange. 
I seem  to  look — and  to  look — for  one  who  is  not  to 
be  seen  there;  but  when  I am  at  home  I can  look  at 
the  shadow  (meaning  her  portrait),  but  the  substance 
is  gone,  and  when  I am  so  busy,  you  sit  there  and 
never  say  shall  I help  you,  and  yet  I get  on  better 

when  I see  and  think  about  you Hoping 

you  are  well, I beg  to  remain, 

“ Your  ever  dear  and  affectionate  friend, 

“M.  M.  Baugh.” 

Another  letter  from  the  same  young  lady,  dated 
May  1 8th,  1863,  commenced 

“ My  very  dear  and  affectionate  friend : 

“ I hope  that  you  are  in  the  enjoy- 
ment of  health,  also  your  cousins ; please  to  give  my 
kind  regards  to  them,  also  to  your  uncle  and  aunt.  I 
should  be  very  glad  to  see  them  and  you — perhaps 
we  shall  see  each  other  sometime  on  earth — if  we 
do  not,  we  may  meet  in  Heaven,  when  we  shall  range 
the  sweet  plains  on  the  banks  of  the  river,  and  tell  of 
his  love  for  ever  and  ever.  Dear  Agnes,  I hope  you 
do  not  think  of  giving  up  your  class  meetings ; re- 
member it  is  the  best  place  to  get  our  spiritual  strength 


24  Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 

renewed  ; be  determined  to  go  on  in  the  way  of  duty, 
it  is  the  way  of  safety, 

, * , “I  should  like  to  see,  to  speak  to 

you,  what  I have  not  time  to  write.  I constantly  keep 
a bouquet  of  flowers  by  you  (portrait).  I know  you 
like  them,  and  yet  you  don’t  take  them.  I was  very 
much  pleased  with  those  you  sent  me  I have  studied 
the  language  of  flowers,  so  1 know  their  meaning.  I 
am  very  glad  to  hear  that  you  had  such  a nice  treat, 
but  I am  sorry  you  felt  so  lonely ; if  you  would  have 
friends  you  must  make  yourself  friendly;  but  1 ad- 
vise you  to  be  careful  with  whom  you  make  friends. 
Beware  equally  of  a sudden  friend  and  a slotv  enemy. 
. . . . And  now  dear  friend,  my  time  is  nearly 

gone;  1 must  not  conclude  however,  without  begging 
of  you  to  live  close  to  God.  Pray  for  me,  and  I will 
pray  for  you,  and  may  we  both  improve  the  grace 
given,  leaving  the  things  that  are  behind  and  press- 
ing forward  to  those  that  are  before,  and  may  it  be 
ours  to  hear  the  welcome  plaudit.  ‘Come  up  hither; 
inherit  the  kingdom  prepared  for  you,  from  the  foun- 
dation of  the  world.’  Farewell  for  the  present,  and 
believe  me  to  be, 

“Your  ever  sincere  friend, 

“Matilda  Maria  Baugh.” 

There  was,  perhaps,  no  young  person' in  the  Daw- 
ley  Primitive  Methodist  Society  more  pious  than 
Miss  Baugh  ; she  was  modest,  unassuming  and  vir- 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  2^ 

tlious.  She  became  a married  woman,  and  disease 
and  death  soon  made  her  their  victim. 

Mrs.  Acornley  wrote  Miss  Baugh’s  mother  a letter 
of  condolence,  as  may  be  inferred  from  the  following 
extract  from  Mrs.  Baugh,  dated  May  17th,  1866  : 

“ Dear  Agnes  : 

“I  was  glad  to  hear  from  you  ; your 

kind  letter  comforted  me  more  than  I have  words  to 
ex])ress,  for  my  loss  was  very  great;  but  it  pleased 
the  Lord  to  remove  her  to  himself.  Although  it  is 
hard  to  say  ‘ Thy  will  be  done,’  yet  it  may  be  all  for 
the  best  in  the  end ; He  had  some  vvise  purpose  in 
view  that  we  are  not  permitted  to  see  now,  but  we 
shall  know  hereafter,  I am  greatly  comforted  to 
know  that  she  is  gone  to  Heaven,  where  the  wicked 
cease  from  troubling,  and  the  weary  are  at  rest.  She 
died  shouting  ‘ Victory  ! ’ or,  rather,  she  asked  her  • 
father  to  do  so.  I should  have  liked  you  to  have 
been  there  to  have  heard  her  talk ; you  would  have 
wondered  where  she  could  have  found  so  much  to 
say.  It  was  a pleasure  to  wait  on  her,  she  was  so 
patient  and  thankful  for  all  we  did  for  her.  . . . 

“All  join  in  love  to  you. 

“ I remain  your  sincere  friend, 

“Jane  Baugh.’’ 

Some  time  afterwards,  feeling  a wish  to  put  forth 
a laudable  individual  effort  for  independent  personal 


Sunshine  A mong  the  M ountains  ; 


26 


maintenance,  she  answered  an  advertisement,  which 
resulted  in  an  engagement  as  nurse-maid  in  the 
family  of  Dr.  Collier,  of  Shore  Hall,  near  Rochdale, 
Lancashire. 

Within  sight  of  Shore  Hall  is  a sheet  of  water, 
covering  ninety  acres  of  ground,  called  Hollingworth 
Lake.  It  was  originally  constructed  as  a feeder  for 
the  Rochdale  and  Manchester  canal.  It  is,  however, 
no  longer  necessary  for  that  purpose.  The  lake  is 
now  owned  by  a company  who  have  laid  out  its  sur- 
roundings as  a pleasure  resort,  and  although  the 
scenery  cannot  be  said  to  be  grand,  yet  Hollingworth 
Lake  is  not  without  its  merits.  During  the  summer 
months  and  on  gala  days,  thousands  of  eager  pleasure- 
seekers  flock  to  this  place  from  all  parts  of  South  Lan- 
cashire and  the  East  Riding  of  Yorkshire.  The  bosom 
of  this  placid  water  is  dotted  with  pleasure-boats  and 
• racing-skiffs,  cutters,  and  canoes;  while  every  once  in 
a while  is  heard  the  shrill  whistle  of  the  little  paddle 
steamer  as  she  goes  snorting  round  the  lake,  or  mer- 
rily glides  across  from  one  landing-stage  to  the  other. 
The  lake  is  fringed  by  numerous  establishments  where 
candies  and  toys  are  dispensed,  and  where  materials 
for  fortifying  the  stomach  and  pleasing  the  palate,  are 
dealt  out  to  those  who  are  willing  to  pay.  Joyous 
sounds,  merry  laughter,  and  sweet  music,  come  rip- 
pling over  the  water,  while  scenes  of  gaiety  are  be- 
held all  around.  Some  poet  has  said,  while  viewing 
the  placid  waters  of  Hollingworth  Lake  by  moonlight, 


the  Young  Pastor  s Wife. 


27 


“ Oh,  that  this  peacefulness  might  long  endure, 
This  lovely  scene  continue,  free  from  mist ! 
Who  would  not  seek  for  what  is  true  and  pure  ? 
Who  would  in  aug'ht  unheautif  ul  persist  ? 

“ None  but  the  gross  and  foul  who  make  the  earth 
A scene  of  terror,  havoc,  and  distress. 

O give  us,  gracious  God,  a second  bii’th. 

And  stem  the  tide  of  human  wretchedness. 

“ Give  us  to  love  thy  works,  so  bright  and  fair ; 
Give  us  to  know  whdre  truest  goodness  lies ; 
Give,  from  on  high,  a living,  freshening  air. 
Before  whose  current  all  pollution  flies.” 


While  residing  in  the  family  of  Dr.  Collier,  Mrs. 
Acornley  soon  found  many  friends,  connected  with 
the  Primitive  Methodist  Society  at  Shore,  whose 
friendship  continued  and  was  cultivated  for  years 
afterwards.  The  following  letter,  which  she  wrote 
several  years  afterwards,  will  illustrate  her  sincere 
attachment  to  the  friends  she  had  made  in  this  place  ; 

“ Plains,  Luzerne  Co.,  Penn., 

“ North  America, 

“November  23d,  1873. 

“ Dear  brother  Crawford  ; 

“ I have  long  promised  to  write  to  you,  and  the 
dear,  yes,  the  dear  friends  at  Shore.  Oh ! how  I 
long  to  see  you  all.  I watch  the  plan  and  see  who 

are  the  active  members  at  Shore 

(Speaking  of  numerous  friends,  she  says  :)  Have  any 


2S  Sunshine  Among  the  Mountain^  ; 

of  them  removed  or  gone  home  to  Heaven  ? ' How 
we  would  like  to  see  you  all  again.  I am  going  to 
try  to  send  you  a little  news,  and  you  will  let  all  my 
dear  friends  hear,  I know. 

“ You  will  hear  of  us  sometimes,  I dare  say,  and 
know  that  John  is  in  the  ministry,  and  I believe  the 
Lord  owns  our  efforts.  This  is  the  second  year  that 
we  are  on  this  circuit,  and  during  that  time,  we  have 
divided  into  two  circuits,  and  on  this  part  we  have 
built  two  little  churches.  . • . 

“ We  are  now  erecting  two  more;  one  will  probably 
be  opened  in  four  weeks,  and  the  other,  which  will  be 
larger,  will  be  opened  probably  in  February  or  March. 

We  have  much  to  be' thankful  for, 

though  we  have  many  drawbacks.  Trade  in  this  part 
is  very  bad  just  now,  on  account  of  the  great  bank 
suspension  ; there  is  not  full  employment,  nor  much 

money  stirring yet  our  members  are 

very  kind  ; ...  . . and  now  pigs  are  dying  all 

around,  and  dead  pork  comes  into  our  buttery,  and 
sausages,  mince  pies,  pork  pies,  as  if  we  liked  them  and 

could  eat  them I tell  you  this  to  let 

you  know  we  are  respected,  and  among  friends  ; yet  I 
long  to  mingle  with  you  in  England  again,  at  Shore 
and  Rochdale.  I do  long  to  see  my  dear  husband’s 
mother  and  family  again ; we  often  feel  lonely  just 
because,  we  have  no  relatives  at  hand.  We  have 
buried  our  dear  little  rosebud  last  July  twelve  months; 
his  name  was  Ebenezer  Hamer;  we  felt  the  Lord  had 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife.  2g 

helped  us ; we  have  now  another  son  ; we  call  him 
John  Samuel;  he  is  a fine  baby,  six  months  old. 

“ John  has  been  very  sick  a few  weeks  ago,  but  is 
now  better,  though  not  like  himself ; he  has  far  too 
much  work,  the  circuit  work  is  heavy,  and  the  local 

help  is  insufficient My  own  domestic 

cares  are  many,  yet  I do  what  I can  in  the  work ; I 
do  not  do  what  I should  like,  or  as  much  as  I wish. 
Visiting  members  in  this  country  is  not  like  England, 

it  is  up  hill  and  down  dale Our  circuit 

extends  about  twelve  miles ; we  have  five  places  as  you 

will  see  by  the  plan  I shall  send It  is 

only  three  years  since  Primitive  Methodism  was 
known  here,  in  this  Wyoming  Valley ; it  is  a lovely 
part  of  the  country.  Winter  is  now  set  in  in  earnest; 
already  the  sleighs  are  out,  and  the  bells  on  the 

horses  ring  merrily I guess  if  I 

could  see  and  hear  you  all  reading  this  it  would 
make  me  feel  like  getting  my  ' hagging’*  along  with 
you;  I wish  I could;  I guess  it  would  be  ‘‘gradehf 
good.'  I shall  be  hopping  in  maybe  sometime;  if 
not,  I trust  we  shall  all  meet  in  the  glory  land,  where 
the  inhabitants  never  say  ‘I  am  sick;’  where  we 
shall  join  in  the  grand  hallelujah  chorus  to  Him  that 
hath  loved  us,  and  not  only  loved  us  but  washed  us 
■in  His  own  most  precious  blood ; to  this  end  I 
aspire. 

* A phrase  used  in  Lancashire  for  the  afternoon  meal  at  four 
o’clock.  t Very  good. 


JO 


Su7ishine  Among  the  Moutitains ; 


“May  the  Lord  bless  you  all  is  the  sincere  prayer 
of  your  long  lost  friend  and  sister  in  Christ, 

“ Agnes  Rebecca  Acornley.” 
Shore  being  in  the  Rochdale  Circuit,  and  preachers 
and  friends  coming  and  going,  her  correspondence 
and  acquaintance  was  extended  to  Rochdale. 

Rochdale  is  a town  of  great  antiquity,  for  without 
doubt  it  existed  as  such  long  before  the  conquest  of 
Britain  by  the  Normans.  The  present  population  is 
estimated  at  near  66,000.  Rochdale  has  been  favored 
with  the  occasional  services  of  many  Methodist  celeb- 
rities, such  as  John  Wesley,  Adam  Clark,  Joseph  Ben- 
son, Hugh  Bourne,  Wm.  Clowes,  .&c.,  &c. 

An  amusing  incident  once  occurred  at  an  open 
air  service  in  Rochdale.  The  Rev.  John  Verity, 
while  standing  on  a chair  preaching  in  the  street, 
was  accosted  by  a police  officer  and  commanded  to 
“ move  on.”  Mr.  Verity  very  politely  said  “ I hope 
you  will  permit  me  to  dismiss  the  people  first  1 ” 
The  officer  of  course  readily  assented,  when  Mr. 
Verity  went  into  a long  explanation  as  to  what  he 
had  inteiided  to  have  stated  if  he  had  not  been  in- 
terrupted ; that  it  had  been  his  “ intention  to  have 
told  them  that  Christ  had  died  for  sinners,  and  that 
they  might  be  saved.”  And  thus  he  went  on  for 
half  an  hour,  telling  the  people  what  he  had  mtended 
to  have  said  if  he  had  not  been  prevented.  Mean- 
while this  “ guardian  of  the  law  ” was  expecting,  at 
the  conclusion  of  every  sentence,  to  hear  the  con-  - 


Or,  the  Voting  Pastor's  Wife.  Ji 

gregation  dismissed,  but  finding  that  Mr.  Verity’s 
explanation  continued  to  roll  on,  without  any  signs 
of  a speedy  termination,  he  turned  upon  his  heel  and 
retired  in  disgust  from  the  scene. 

About  the  year  1839  the  Rev.  Mr.  Steell,  a magis- 
trate, and  curate  of  Littleborough  Church,  a village 
about  three  miles  from  Rochdale,  sent  Mr.  White, 
a Primitive  Methodist  Minister,  to  prison  for  preach- 
ing in  that  village,  but  he  was  released  by  the  order 
of  George  Ashworth,  Esq.,  another  magistrate,  who 
rose  from  his  bed  at  midnight  in  order  to  accomplish 
that  object. 

There  had  been  a day  school  kept  in  the  base- 
ment of  Crawford  Street  Primitive  Methodist  Chapel, 
Rochdale  ; the  school  had  been  so  reduced,  from 
some  cause  or  other,  that  it  was  discontinued.  Mrs. 
Acornley  was  requested  to  make  the  attempt  to  re- 
commence it.  There  was  no  endowment,  no  fund 
for  salary  apart  from,  what  was  raised  by  the  indi- 
vidual payments  of  each  scholar.  She  knew  she  was 
young  and  inexperienced,  but  had  resolved,  under 
God’s  blessing,  to  look  to  her  own  industry  for  her 
living.  The  task  of  commencing  and  establishing  a 
day  school,  which  should  afford  a livelihood  to  the 
school-mistress,  from  school  rates  commencing  at 
two-pence  per  week,  required  courage,  hope,  indus- 
try and  patience;  but  she  attempted  and  succeeded. 
In  addition  to  this,  she  commenced  a night  school, 
principally  for  young  women  and  girls,  many  of 


32 


Sumhinc  Among  the  Mountains ; 


M'hom  during  the  day  were  working  in  the  cotton 
factories,  thus  being  deprived  of  educational  advan- 
tages. Her  affectionate  intercourse  with  the  children 
endeared  her  to  their  hearts,  and  this  was  apparent 
not  only  in  the  school-room,  and  when  meeting  in 
the  streets,  but  the  absent  or  sick  she  often  visited  at 
their  own  homes.  An  extended  acquaintance  and 
friendship  thus  became  established  between  her  and 
the  parents. 

There  was  one  little  girl  named  Elizabeth  C , 

whose  father  professed  to  hold  infidel  principles. 
This  little  girl  was  taken  sick ; she  wished  to  see  her 
school-mistress,  who  was  also  her  Sunday-school 
teacher.  The  father  consenting  to  such  a visit — 
rather  visits  might  be  said,  for  they  were  frequent— 
of  course,  the  conversation  and  exercises  were  relig- 
ous  and  devout,  mingled  with  prayer  and  praise ; the 
infidel  father  was  at  times  much  affected,  but  whether 
this  was  from  any  evangelical  convictions,  or  the 
natural  emotions  of  a parent  who  lovingly  looked  on 
a sick  child,  whom  he  feared  would  die,  it  is  not  for 
the  writer  to  decide.  The  child,  however,  died,  and 
its  happy  spirit,  without  doubt,  went  to  mingle  with 
that  unnumbered  multitude  of  little  ones  which  stands 
“around  the  throne  of  God  in  Heaven.” 

The  father’s  heart  seemed  broken  ; life  seemed  to 
have  lost  its  charm,  and  in  an  incredibly  short  time, 
he  too,  died.  May  we  hope  that  he  has  met  his 
child  in  the  glory-land. 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife. 


33 


Mrs.  Acornley  was  occasionally  the  recipient  of 
affectionate  letters  from  her  pupils,  indicative  of  the 
kindly  feelings  and  affectionate  regard  they  had  for 
her. 

The  daily  and  nightly  monoton3'"of  teaching  was 
not  held  as  an  excuse  for  not  taking  share  in  the  labor 
of  Sunday  school  teaching.  On  God’s  day  she  was 
active  in  giving  instruction  in  Crawford  street  school. 
Her  aptitude  for  teaching,  her  religious  warmth,  her 
punctual  attendance,  with  her  affectionate  manner, 
endeared  her  to  the  class  she  taught. 

When  tea  meetings,  festivals,  or  anniversaries  for 
the  school  occurred,  and  recitations,  etc.,  were  needed, 
she  was  ready  to  take  part.  A printed  programme 
lies  before  the  writer,  dated  Christmas,  1867,  in  which 
she  was  announced  to  render  a piece  called  “ The 
Crucifixion.”  This  she  gave  with  much  feeling,  and 
marked  and  telling  impressions  were  made.  From 
early  childhood,  reciting,  etc.,  at  Sunday  school  anni- 
versaries, had  been  frequently  her  practice.  Her  elo- 
cutionary powers  were  somewhat  considerable,  and 
it  would  not  be  too  much  to  say  that  her  talent  in 
this  line  was  indeed  extraordinary. 


34 


Sims /line  Among  the  Mountains  ; 


CHAPTER  III. 

COURTSHIP. 

“Our  fortune  rolls  as  from  a smooth  descent, 

And  from  the  firet  impression  takes  the  bent : 

But,  if  unseized,  she  glides  away  like  wind, 

And  leaves  repenting-  folly  far  behind.” 

Dryden, 

The  subject  of  courtship — a kind  of  preface  to 
the  larger  volume  of  marriage — is  ofttimes  modestly 
veiled  over  in  religious  publications,  as  if  it  was  a 
circumstance  that  modest  and  Christian  people  should 
only  utter  in  a whisper  to  some  one  particular,  confi- 
dential friend.  The  writer  thinks  that  courtship,  if 
properly  conducted,  will  in  after  years  bear  referring 
to  and  prudently  disclosing.  In  the  arena  of  court- 
ship, not  only  affection,  but  conscience,  truth,  and 
piety,  ought  to  act  their  part  in  undisguised  charac- 
ters. The  evangelical  motto  “ Whatsoever  ye  do,  do 
all  to  the  glory  of  God,”  ought  to  have  an  applica- 
tion in  this  interesting  practice,  as  in  any  other  cir- 
cumstance of  life.  Such  were  the  feelings  and  con- 
victions of  the  writer,  and  such  also  were  the  opinions 
of  her  whom  “ once  I courted,  now  I lament,”  as  may 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife.  J5 

appear  from  the  following  extract  from  her  pen,  in 
reply  to  a letter  I wrote  her  on  this  subject : 

“ I felt  highly  pleased  when  I read  that  part  of 
your  epistle,  stating  that  ‘ it  would  be  unwise  on 
your  part  to  allow  any  rumor,  or  rather  to  encourage 
the  same,  until  (as  I understand  it),  I was  made 
acquainted  with  your  present  position  and  circum- 
stances, also  your  future  prospects  in  life.’  Allow 
me  here  to  say  (I  hope  I do  not  flatter  you),  that  a 
young  man  of  such  a frank  disposition  is  worthy  of 
such  an  one  as  will  honorably  and  steadily  assist  him 
through  life,  in  joy,  in  sorrow,  in  prosperity,  in  ad- 
versity. A spirit  of  such  frankness,  either  in  a young 
man  or  a young  woman  is  commendable,  and  de- 
serves a just  reward,  A frank  and  upright  disposi- 
tion is  honorable,  both  in  the  sight  of  our  Heavenly 

Redeemer  and  man I pray  that  the 

blessing  of  the  Most  High  may  rest  upon  you,  and 
that  the  Holy  Spirit  may  direct  you  in  all  your  un- 
dertakings, so  that  when  you  have  done  with  the 
world  and  its  cares,  you  may  be  received  unto  Him 
who  hath  washed  you,  and  freed  you  from  the  yoke 
of  bondage,  is  the  most  sincere  wish  of 

“Agnes  Rebecca.” 

Having  settled  in  our  hearts  that  our  affection  was 
mutual  and  genuine,  the  next  thing  was  to  gain  the 
consent  of  our  parents  ; if  this  was  withheld,  we  con- 
sidered it  would  be  an  indication  that  Providence 


j6  Sunshine  A ?nong  the  Mountains  ; 


disapproved,  and  therefore,  all  |jrofessions  or  expres-  3 

■1 

sions  relative  to  our  prospective  union,  should  be 
neutralized  or  made  void.  But  otherwise,  should  S 

they  comply,  this  would  be  the  bugle-sound  to  give  ^ 

us  marching  orders  to  “go  forward.”  >! 

A reference  to  some  of  her  corre.spondence  at  this  ^ 
period  may  not  be  uninteresting  or  unprofitable.  f 


Having  made  her  an  offer  of  marriage,  the  following  '■ 
extract  will  indicate  the  intelligent,  frank  and  Chris- 
tian  manner  in  which  she  accepted  my  proposal.  3 

Speaking  of  some  recent  change  in  her  circum-  * 

stances,  she  says  ; '4 

“ But  yet  I Avill  not  repine  ; it  is  the  will  of  God ; 

‘let  Him  do  as  seemeth  Him  good.’  I yet  believe  ^ 

that  the  sun  will  again  shine  upon  my  path,  though  | 

I assure  you  I have  passed  through  much,  but  I will  * 

raise  my  Ebenezer  and  say,  ‘ hitherto  the  Lord  hath  ^ 

helped  me.’  Oh  ! that  I may  live  nearer  to  Him  * 

who  has  kept  me  in  infancy  and  childhood,  unto  |l 

these  years,  to  know  and  understand  right  from  | 

wrong,  good  from  evil ; to  live  closer  to  Him  is  my 
constant  desire — my  motto  is,  ‘ nearer,  my  God,  to  ^ 

Thee.’  He  who  has  been  a present  helper  to  many  ' 

before  my  existence  and  since,  will  be  my  constant, 
never-failing  friend.  Yes!  a friend  that  is  more  con-  ; 

stant  than  a brother Allow  me  to  say  ; 

I that  in  joti  1 have  the  firm  belief  I shall  find  an  ^ 

earthly  friend,  faithful  and  true  unto  the  last.  ‘Last’  j 

you  say, ‘what  does  that  mean  .^  ’ It  means  this  : I J 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife. 


37 


am  not  a flirt,  nor  should  I wish  to  trifle  with  any- 
one, nor  any  one  to  trifle  with  me ; but  it  is  my  duty 
to  seek  out  a fit  companion  ‘ for  life,’  and  I would 
not  give  my  hand  nor  heart  to  any  young  man  whom 
I believed  had  not  the  fear  of  God  before  his  eyes. 
You  have  had  a good  example  set  before  you,  and  I 
feel  thankful  that  you  have  followed  the  same,  and 
given  your  heart  to  Him  who  is  your  Heavenly 
Father.  Oh!  that  you  may  live  closer  to  your  God 

than  you  hitherto  have  done And 

now  let  our  efforts  be  joined  for  the  promotion  of 
God’s  cause.  To  you  I now  give  my  heart,  but  not  1 
without  due  and  serious  consideration.  And  may  | 
the  God  of  Jacob  be  my  helper  and  yours,  is  the  ■ 
most  ardent  desire  and  prayer  of  your  ‘ 

“ Most  affectionate 

“Agnes  Rebecca.’’ 


The  following  letter  breathes  the  same  kind  of 
pious  emotions  : 


“ Dear  John  : 

“ I most  sincerely  hope  that  you  arrived  safe  at 
home  on  Sunday  night  without  taking  cold;  for  I 
know  you  must  each*  have  got  very  wet  indeed. 
This  day  has  been  so  dull  to  me,  as  the  morning’s 


* Rev.  James  Crompton  and  myself,  -both  having-  been  preach- 
ing- in  the  neighborhood. 


jS  Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 

post  brought  me  rather  unwelcome  intelligence ; but 
I will  look  up  as  well  as  I can,  the  Lord  helping  me. 
I hope  soon  to  see  you,  for  I do  think  that  I may 

place  confidence  in  you And,  oh  ! I pray 

that  God  may  bless  you,  and  that  all  you  do  may 
prosper,  both  temporally  and  spiritually ; that  you 
may  have  His  choicest  blessing  resting  upon  all  your 
goings  out  and  comings  in ; and  whatever  station  of 
life  you  may  be  placed  in,  you  know  there  is  a watch- 
ful eye  that  neither  slumbers  nor  sleeps,  continually 
over  you.  Oh ! that  His  arms  of  love  and  tender 
mercy  would  ever  you  embrace.  I assure  you,  since 
I have  had  the  knowledge  of  you,  many  have  been 
the  prayers  that  have  ascended  up  to  the  throne  of 
grace  in  your  behalf. 

“ I have  not  thought  of  you,  or  the  circumstances 
that  have  transpired,  lightly,  oh  ! no  ! I have  pon- 
dered it  over  and  over  again,  and  asked  my  Heav- 
enly Father  to  direct  me  in  the  way  that  is  right,  to 
‘ guide  me  by  His  unerring  counsel,’  and  you  also,  so 
that  we  may  each  discern  more  clearly  and  aright, 
what  is  before  us.  My  dear  John,  do  think  before 
you  go  any  further ; oh,  consider — do  you  think  I 
am  a suitable  companion  for  you  through  life  t I 
ofttimes  feel  my  littleness  and  insignificance  in  the 
sight  of  Him  who  is  all  just  and  holy;  He  who  is  my 
Creator,  my  Preserver,  my  Redeemer,  and  my  Medi- 
ator. I feel  that  I am  sinful.  I feel  that  I can  ex- 
claim ‘ what  am  I,  that  thou  art  so  mindful  of  me  } ’ 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  jg 

He  has  watched  over  me  constantly  ; He  has  covered 
me  with  the  shadow  of  His  almighty  wing.  With 
Milton,  I can  seem  to  say, 

‘ I have  naught  to  fear — 

This  darkness  is  the  shadow  of  Thy  wing. 

Beneath  it  I am  sacred ; 

Here  can  come  no  evil  thing' 

and  then,  with  a more  inspired  writer  than  even  he, 
‘ what  shall  I render  unto  the  Lord  for  all  his 

benefits  ? ’ In  return,  I wish  for  my  life 

to  be  more  devoted  to  his  service;  to  do  His  will 
shall  be  my  constant  delight.  Oh  ! that  he  may  ever 
help  me  and  you  to  do  His  will,  so  that  when  He 
comes  to  number  up  His  jewels,  we  may  each  be 
even  more  precious  than  the  most  costly ; for  if  the 
world  were  brim  full  of  the  most  precious  jewels, 
they  were  less  than  nothing  when  compared  to  the 

value  of  one  soul I hope  soon  to  see 

you,  and  meanwhile,  I pray,  that  He  who  fed  the  five 
thousand  in  the  wilderness,  may  feed  you  with  Heav- 
enly bread ; He  who  shone  in  the  bush  may  shine 
around  about  ; and  the  peace  that  the  world  can- 
not give  or  take,  may  ever  dwell  within  your  soul. 
And  now  accept  my  kindest  love,  believing  it  comes 
from  a sincere  heart. 

“ Most  affectionately  yours. 


“ Agnes  Rebecca.” 


40 


Sitiishine  Among  the  Mountains ; 


The  circumstances  of  a period  like  this  are,  to 
most  young  persons,,  very  interesting  and  fascinat- 
ing ; but  even  at  this  time  my  dear  departed  one 
did  not  lose  sight  of,  or  forget,  the  principle  taught 
in  the  decalogue,  viz.,  “ Honor  thy  father  and  thy 
mother,”  &c.,  as  witness  the  following  communica- 
tion, which  I received  in  July,  1866.  She  says — 
“ 1 am  sorry  to  hear  that  your  mother  is  so  poorly, 
I do  hope  and  trust  that  she  will  be  restored  soon 
to  perfect  health ; remember  you  must  take  care  of 
her,  for  the  true  value  of  a mother  no  one  on  earth 
knows  except  those  who  have  lost  one.  I sometimes 
think  that,  could  I,  1 would  give  all  I possessed,  and 
do  all  that  ever  lay  in  my  power,  if  I could  call  back 
my  own  dear  parent,  or  even  her  who  I shall  ever 
think  of  as  a parent,  (my  dear  grandmother) ; but  no 
I cannot;  but  there  is  one  thing  I can  do — ‘/can 
go  to  them,  though  they  cannot  return  to  me.’  Ah  I 
I cannot  tell  how  soon  that  day  may  come  when  I 
shall  see  them  and  my  Saviour.  Here,  by  faith,  we 
can  see  the  land  that  is  yet  afar  off.  Oh!  my  dear 
John,  if  God  should  permit  that  my  life  and  yours 
should  be  spared,  and  that  we  should  be  joined  in 
the  holy  bonds  of  wedlock,  let  us  pray  that  our  efforts 
may  be  united  to  promote  each  other’s  spiritual  in- 
terest and  eternal  welfare.  In  your  last  epistle  you 
write  ‘Agnes,  pray  for  me;’  believe  me,  my  dear, 
that  not  one  night  passes  over  your  head  but  that 
there  is  an  earnest  prayer  ascending  up  to  the  throne 


(9r,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife. 


41 


of  heavenly  grace  on  your  behalf.  In  return  I now 
ask  ‘ pray  for  your  Agnes  Rebecca  ! ’ May  the  Lord 
ever  bless  you Believe  me  to  be, 

“ Most  affectionately  yours, 

“Agnes  Rebecca.” 

While  not  a few  young  persons  find  pleasure  only 
in  lavish  expressions  of  an  emotional  character,  or 
even  very  nonsense,  such  was  not  her  mode  of  cor- 
respondence. Here  is  an  instance  of  a pious  re- 
flection on  the  love  and  goodness  of  God,  and  a kind 
Providence,  at  the  beginning  of  a new  year. 

“January  30th,  1867. 

“ Near  one  month  of  this  present  year 

has  flown  into  a vast  eternity.  How  many,  since  the 
commencement  of  the  year,  have  passed  away  to  prove 
the  realities  of  another  world,  while  you  and  I have 
been  spared  ! Let  gratitude  to  Almighty  God  fill 
each  of  our  hearts.  I feel  that  I need  much  of  His 
divine  assistance  to  direct,  guide,  and  strengthen  me. 
My  desire  is  to  live  the  life  of  the  righteous,  so  that 
my  end  may  be  peace.  Oh ! my  dear,  pray  much 
for  your  Agnes  Rebecca.  I feel  I need  some  one’s 
prayers,  especially  yours ; you  for  whom  I wish  to 
think  as  for  myself;  for  whose  welfare,  temporally 
and  spiritually,  I constantly  and  earnestly  pray. 
May  the  choicest  of  God’s  blessings  ever  be  yours ; 


42  StinsJiine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 

may  the  light  of  His  glory  beam  ever  on  your  path 
through  life  ; and,  when  you  have  done  with  earth 
and  all  its  joys  and  sorrows,  may  you  be  conducted 
by  holy  angels  and  ‘spirits  of  just  men  made  perfect,’ 
to  sit  down  with  Abraham,  Isaac,  and  Jacob,  there 
to  sing  the  song  of  Him  who  hath  redeemed  you, 
‘not  with  corruptible  things  such  as  silver  and  gold, 
but  with  His  own  precious  blood.’  I pray  we  may 
each  look  unto  Him,  knowing  that  from  Him  all  our 
blessings  flow.  How  innumerable  they  are  ! for, 
while  many  are  in  want  of  daily  sustenance,  our 
wants  are  supplied  ; while  others  have  not  sufficient 
to  wear  to  screen  them  from  the  inclemency  of  the 
weather,  we  have  that  which  is  comfortable  and 
warm ; there  are  those  who  have  not  habitation, 
nor  bed  to  lie  down  upon,  while  we  each  have  that 
blessing. 

‘ Not  more  than  others  we  deserved, 

Yet  God  hath  given  us  more.’ 

“ Let  us  each  feel  we  have  a thankful  heart,  and 
may  it  be  our  constant  aim  to  do  that  which  is  right 
in  the  sight  of  God.  Lord  help  us 

“ With  affection  -yours, 

“Agnes  Rebecca.” 

There  is  a pious  reflection  on  my  birthday,  dated 
December  27th,  1866. 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife. 


43 


“ Again  appears  thy  natal  day ; 

Again  with  blessings  be  it  crowned  : 

In  virtue’s  path,  and  wisdom’s  way, 

May’st  thou  on  each  return  be  found.” 

“ Many  happy  returns  of  this  day  to  you,  iny  dear 
John,  and  may  you  live  to  see  many,  many  more. 

I pray  that  your  future  life  may  be  a life  of  holiness, 
following  your  Lord  and  master  with  greater  vigi-  , 
lance  and  earnestness,  and  by  faith  taking  firmer 
grasp  of  the  hem  of  His  garment.  Let  your  light 
shine,  and  be  not  weary  in  well  doing,  knowing  that 
if  you  waver  not,  but  prove  faithful  unto  the  end, 
there  is  laid  up  for  you  an  everlasting  palm  of  vie-  i 
tory  and  a never-fading  crown  of  glory.  I pray  that 
your  life  may  be  spared,  having  health  and  strength  ' 
to  perform  the  daily  task  of  life ; and.  oh ! should  it 
please  God  that  you  and  I should  be  united,  I say 
again,  and  pray,  that  our  efforts  may  be  joined,  not 
only  in  things  temporal,  but  to  promote  God’s  glory. 
May  God  ever  bless  you  is  my  constant  prayer.  . . . 

“ With  true  affection,  I am  still  yours, 

“Agnes  Rebecca.’’ 

For  a number  of  years  my  mind  had  been  seriously 
impressed  with  the  importance  of  devoting  myself 
wholly  to  the  work  of  the  Christian  ministry,  an  im- 
pression which  was  shared  by  many  of  my  official 
brethren ; and  for  the  accomplishment  of  which, 
hundreds  of  prayers  had  been  offered  by  a holy 


44 


Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains ; 


father  and  a God-fearing  mother..  It  was,  however, 
necessary  that  our  engagement  should  be  protracted 
during  the  period  of  my  probation  {four  years) ; the 
decision  hung  in  the  balance  month  after  month.  I 
conversed  with  her  on  the  matter  in  its  various  rela- 
tions. She  finally  signed  the  official  document, 
promising  to  wait  the  prescribed  period  of  probation; 
and  then  she  wrote  me  as  follows : " 

“ Since  you  named  concerning  your  going  into  the 
ministry  to  me,  my  heart  has  seemed  to  beat  quicker 
than  usual;  my  thoughts  upon  the  subject  have  been 
serious^  various,  and  many.  I do  pray  that  the  bless- 
ing of  God  may  attend  your  path,  and  should  you 
go  and  proclaim  the  unsearchable  riches  of  Christ  to 
a fallen  world,  giving  up  all  for  your  Saviour  and 
blessed  Redeemer,  who  died  to  redeem  you  from  the 
yoke  of  bondage;  I do  hope  and  sincerely  trust  that 
you  will  never  be  ‘ weary  in  well-doing.’  Remember 
the  promise  of  our  blessed  Redeemer,  that : that 
j which  ye  sow  shall  ye  also  reap.  Go,  my  dear  John, 

1 and  cast  the  bread  upon  the  waters,  and  it  shall  be 
seen  after  many  days.  Go,  and  proclaim  the  glad 
tidings  of  peace  to  perishing  sinners ; tell  them  of  a 
pardoning  Saviour,  who  died  to  save  even  the  vilest  of 
the  vile,  so  that  when  here  you  have  done,  and  suffered 
his  righteous  will,  you  may  be  admitted  into  that 
Heavenly  Jerusalem,  there  to  bear  and  wave  an  ever- 
lasting palm  of  victory,  and  wear  a never-fading 


Or^  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  4^ 

crown  of  glory ; and  in  that  crown  may  there  be 
placed  many,  many  stars  in  remembrance  of  the 
souls  you  have  won  to  Christ  while  on  earth.  Go  on, 
my  dear  John,  and  work  while  it  is  called  day,  work 
for  Christ  in  his  vineyard,  and  may  the  Lord  ever  be 
your  helper.  If  so  be  that  you  and  I should  be 
parted  for  some  time,  remember  that  there  is  one  in 
this  ‘ wide,  wide  world  ’ who  would  sacrifice  anything 
that  was  possible  for  your  temporal  welfare.  And 
should  it  ever  prove  that  you  come  in  contact  with 
one  who  has  a prettier  face,  or  a brighter  looking 
purse,  bear  hi  mind  that  her  love  cannot  be  more 
pure,  or  more  sincere  than  mine.  I shall  never  wish 
to  stand,  or  be  an  obstacle  in  your  way;  but,  rather, 
on  the  other  hand,  as  help-mate  to  help  you  ‘ onward, 
upward,  and  Heavenward.’  May  God  grant  that  it 
may  be  so With  kindest  love,  be- 

lieve me  to  be, 

“ Affectionately,  your 


“ Sept.  5,  1866. 


Agnes  Rebecca.” 


46 


Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 


CHAPTER  IV. 

MARRIAGE  AND  SETTLEMENT  IN  AMERICA. 

“ Like  the  wanderer’s  step  in  snow, 

Ever  be  my  lot, 

Leaving-  the  trace  of  the  way  I go. 

But  staining-  not.” 

In  the  preceding  chapter,  my  contemplated  pro- 
ject of  entering  the  ministry  as  a probationer,  has 
been  stated.  While  it  had  been  for  years  the  desire 
of  my  father  that  I should  be  so  occupied,  and  had 
for  more  than  two  years  been  talked  of  by  my  relig- 
ious friends,  my  betrothed  and  myself ; yet,  towards 
the  close  of  the  year  1868,  I resolved  to  get  married, 
thus  closing  the  avenue  to  the  ministry  in  connection 
with  the  British  P.  M.  Conference.  Accordingly,  on 
the  17th  December  of  that  year,  we  were  united  in 
the  holy  bonds  of  wedlock  by  the  Rev.  William  Wil- 
kinson, in  the  Primitive  Methodist  Chapel,  Smith 
street,  Rochdale,  Lancashire. 

In  the  hearts  of  all  the  members  of  my  family,  an 
affectionate  feeling  for  Agnes  had  sprung  up ; conse- 
quently, when  our  acquaintance  resulted  in  mar- 


Or,  ihe  Young  Pastor’s  Wife.  4y 

riage,  they  were  ready  to  receive  her  as  my  wife  with 
open  arms. 

My  father,  who  was  then  (and  had  been  for  some 
years)  very  sick,  was  unable  to  attend  and  witness 
the  ceremony ; but  directly  it  was  over,  we  posted 
off  to  receive  his  congratulations  and  blessing. 
Having  thus  entered  upon  the  duties  of  married  life, 
and  of  course  wishing  the  blessing  of  God  on  our 
union  and  labors,  we  immediately  erected  a domestic 
temj)le — with  a social  altar  for  praise  and  prayer  to 
our  Father-God.  Nor  was  my  dear  wife  simply  a 
silent  witness ; she  often  officiated  as  priestess  at  this 
altar,  sending  up  burning  petitions  to  the  throne  of 
God^ 

Neither  of  us  inherited  any  pecuniary  fortune; 
our  estate  and  capital  consisted  of  our  mental  and 
physical  energies,  developed  by  our  personal  indus- 
tries. With  loving  hearts  and  willing  hands,  we 
hoped  under  God’s  blessing  to  win  a livelihood. 
She  therefore  resolved  to  continue  her  school,  which 
she  did  as  a select  or  private  one,  giving  her  instruc- 
tions at  home,  until  failing  health  compelled  her  to 
resign  it.  Our  domestic  bliss  was  somewhat  inter- 
fered with  by  the  fact  that  my  dear  father  (who,  as  I 
said,  had  been  ailing  for  many  years,)  was  confined 
to  his  bed  the  very  day  after  our  marriage.  That 
affliction  lasted  six  weeks,  and  then  his  trials  of  life 
were  at  an  end;  the  Lord  Jesus  lighted  up  the  valley 
of  the  shadow  of  death  with  the  brightness  of  His 


4S  Sunshine  Among  the  Moimtains  ; 

glorious  presence ; the  gates  of  the  heavenly  city 
were  thrown  wide  open,  and  the  internal  glories  of 
the  paradise  of  God  burst  upon  his  view,  and  tri- 
umphantly stepping  upon  the  shore  of  everlasting 
deliverance,  his  happy  spirit  was  “ absent  from  the 
body  and  present  with  the  Lord.”  While  father  lay 
sick,  I received  a letter  from  one  of  our  aged  minis- 
ters who  had  labored  in  Rochdale  Circuit,  the  Rev. 
John  Oscroft ; that  letter  had  a reference  to  our 
marriage  and  my  father’s  affliction,  and  may  not  be 
uninteresting  at  this  point ; I therefore  take  the 
liberty  of  transcribing  a portion  of  it  which  runs  as 
follows : 

“Lynn,  Jan.  30th,  1869. 

“ Dear  Brother  Acornley : 

“ I received  your  note  and  was  glad  to  hear  from 
you.  You  say  that  you  have  changed  your  state 
from  single  blessedness  to  matrimonial  bliss.  I hope 
you  will  realize  the  truth  in  the  fullest  sense  of  the 
word.  It  is  said  ‘ he  that  findeth  a wife,  findeth  a 
good  thing,’  and  if  that  wife  be  sanctified  by  divine 
grace,  she  will  be  the  more  valuable  to  her  loving 
and  God-fearing  husband.  Strive  together  to  keep 
God  in  the  house,  for  His  presence  and  favors  are 
better  than  life ; it  is  this  alone  that  constitutes  mat- 
rimonial bliss.  I thank  you  for  the  kind  manner  in 
which  you  speak  of  me  in  your  note.  I don’t  know 
that  I have  done  anything  to  make  such  favorable 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  4^ 

impressions  on  your  minds,  or  to  call  forth  such 
friendly  and  Christian  expressions  concerning  me, 
God  bless  you  both.  Amen. 

“You  inform  me  that  your  father  is  now  confined 
to  his  couch  with  a severe  affliction,  from  which  he 
may  never  recover.  Under  such  circumstances, 
what  a consolation  it  must  be  to  his  sorrowing  family 
to  learn,  in  the  hour  of  dissolving  nature,  that  his 
faith  is  strong,  his  prospects  bright,  his  evidence 
clear,  and  his  hope  of  glory  blooming  with  immor- 
tality ! My  Christian  regards  to  you 

all.  Amen.  I am  not  so  well  myself;  Mrs.  Oscroft 
is  tolerable, 

“ Yours,  &c., 

“ John  Oscroft.” 

On  the  day  of  my  father’s  death,  my  dear  wife 
wrote  to  her  own  father,  informing  him  of  the  fact, 
and  as  the  letter  illustrates  her  Christian  affection 
for  my  parents,  1 insert  it  here. 

“February  7th,  1869. 

“ My  dear  father ; 

“ I am  very  sorry  to  inform  you  of  the  death  of 
your  old  acquaintance  and  friend,  and  my  dear 
father-in-law,  this  day,  Feb.  7th,  1869.  He  died 
calmly  and  in  the  full  assurance  of  a gospel  hope.  I 
was  with  him  at  the  time  of  his  departure,  with  my 
husband,  dear  Mrs.  Acornley  and  William  Henry; 

4 


jO  Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 

we  all  saw  him  pass  from  this  transitory  scene  to 
prove  the  beauties  and  realities  of  another;  may  our 
end  be  like  unto  his.  He  is  now  spending  an  eternal 
sabbath  in  that  ‘bright  and  better  land.’  We  pur- 
pose to  lay  his  remains  beneath  the  clods  of  the 
valley  on  Wednesday  next,  the  loth.  My  dear 
father,  remember  us  each  at  the  throne  of  grace. 
With  love  to  all,  we  remain, 

“Your  affectionate  son  and  daughter, 

“A.  R.  and  J.  H.  A.’’ 

In  the  summer  of  1870  we  formed  the  resolution 
to  emigrate  to  America;  consequently,  in  May  of  that 
year,  I left  my  dear  wife,  with  a baby  only  a few 
months  old,  took  passage,  and  after  sixteen  days’ 
“ life  on  the  ocean  wave  ’’  landed  in  Boston,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  Philadelphia,  where,  in  a few  months,  I 
was  joined  by  my  dear  wife  and  child. 

Philadelphia  has  a population  of  nearly  700,000,  and 
covers  an  area  of  nearly  thirty  square  miles.  It  has  a 
thousand  miles  of  streets,  which  are  lighted  at  night 
by  10,000  gas  lamps;  to  supply  those  lamps  with  gas 
there  are  over  600  miles  of  piping,  concealed  under 
ground.  It  has  more  than  200  miles  of  city  rail- 
roads, over  which  there  are  nearly  1,800  cars  passing 
every  day.  There  are  over  400  public  schools,  at- 
tended by  over  80,000  scholars,  who  are  taught  by 
1,600  teachers.  There  are  over  400  places  of  wor- 
ship, which  have  accommodation  for  300,000  persons. 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife. 


51 


There  are  nearly  9,000  manufactories,  with  a capital 
of  nearly  185,000,000  dollars,  giving  employment  to 
145,000  persons,  the  annual  product  of  whose  labor 
is  over  384,000,000  dollars.  There,  in  1776,  the 
Declaration  of  Independence  was  signed,  and  here, 
in  1876,  the  Centennial  of  that  event  is  being  cele- 
brated, and  the  world's  great  exhibition  is  being 
held. 

To  those  unacquainted  with  the  circumstances  of 
the  case  it  may  appear  strange  that  we  should  under- 
take such  a long  journey,  at  separate  periods  of  time, 
but  the  reason  was,  that  not  being  in  affluent  circum- 
stances, and  not  knowing  whether  or  not  America 
would  be  adapted  to  meet  our  purposes,  we  deemed 
it  prudent  that  I should  first  try  it,  and  then,  if  cir- 
cumstances were  favorable,  Mrs.  A.  would  follow 
after.  I need  hardly  say,  that  at  our  re-union  our 
joys  and  pleasures  were  mutual.  Previous  to  her 
leaving  England,  she  wrote  me  a number  of  times. 
The  following  extract  from  two  of  those  letters  will 
illustrate  her  feelings  at  this  period: 

July  8th,  1870. 

“ My  dear  husband  : 

“ Or  rather,  ‘ housc'band,'  when  we  have  no  house 
to  bind  at  present.  Your  long  and  loving  epistle 

came  duly,  and  it  was  truly  welcome 

We  were  so  pleased  with  the  account  of  your  voyage, 
&c.,  it  was  really  entertaining.  I read  the  letter  after 


^2  Sunshine  Among  the  Moicntahis  ; 

class  (I  go  to  yours).  James  Schofield  cried  and 
laughed  over  it.  They  all  seemed  over-joyed,  and 
hope  you  remember  them  and  the  Wednesday  night’s 
meeting,  as  they  do  you ; all  of  them  pray  for  you, 
and  they  wish  you  to  pray  for  them.  We  do  have 
such  good  meetings.  Oh,  it  makes  me  feel  so  happy. 
I hope,  dear  John,  you  remember  me  at  the  throne 
of  divine  grace,  as  I need  more  of  the  love  of  God 
abiding  in  my  heart — more  grace  to  sustain  me.  I 
ever  think  of  you  and  try  to  bear  you  up.  May  the 
Lord  bless  you  and  me,  and  our  dear  boy,  and  help 
us  to  train  him  up  for  heaven.  He  is  a dear  little 
creature.  I do  feel  very  thankful  for  the  temporal 
prosperity  that  has  attended  you  thus  far. 

“ Your  loving  wife, 

“Agnes  Rebecca  Acornley.” 

Again  : 

“August  ist,  1870. 

“ Mother  is  so  thankful  things  have  resulted  so 
well  for  you,  and  so  am  I.  I trust  we  may  do  well, 
be  a blessing,  and  be  blessed.  Darling  baby  has 
been  so  very  sick  I was  afraid  I should  have  to  leave 
him  in  Bury  Road  (cemetery.)  I do  not  know  yet 
how  it  may  turn  with  him.  We  are  to  take  very 
great  care  of  him.  I trust  he  will  get  well.  He  is 
better  to-day  than  for  a week  past.  I have  been 
very  ill  myself,  but  am  much  better  to-day.  Both  of 
us  have  had  to  doctor,  and  you  know  it  will  take 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife. 


53 


something  to  make  me  have  a doctor,  or  go  to  one. 
I trust  I may  soon  be  all  right.  I think  if  all  is  well 
I shall  start  for  America  three  weeks  next  Wednes- 
day. I would  start  sooner  if  I could  hear  of  anyone 
who  was  going  to  New  York.  Mother  wants  to  see 
how  baby  is  before  I decide ; it  will  not  do  to  start 
until  he  is  better,  I will  write  again  as  soon  as  I 
know  the  vessel  and  the  date  of  starting. 

“ Your  loving  wife, 

“Agnes  Rebecca  Acornley.” 

Having  made  her  final  arrangements,  she  left  Roch- 
dale. From  Liverpool  she 'wrote  to  her  mother-in- 
law  as  follows ; 

“ Liverpool,  August  24th,  1870. 

“ My  dear  mother ; 

“ You  will  be  very  anxious  to  know  how  dear  baby 
is.  He  is  much  better  this  morning.  I do  not  feel 
well  myself,  but  hope  to  be  better  before  the  day  is 

out I put  my  case  in  the  hands  of 

God  ; he  will  take  care  of  me  and  darling.  As  dear 
William  said  last  Sunday  night  at  Smallbridge,  ‘ He 
hath  measured  the  waters  in  the  hollow  of  His  hand,’ 
and  if  I am  in  His  hand  what  have  I to  fear.  If  I am 
able  I will  drop  a line  from  Queenstown.  I certainly 
feel  very  lonely;  but  it  is  as  well  that  you  did  not  stay 
all  night,  though  your  company  would  have  been 
such  a luxury,  and  so  acceptable.  Give  my  dear 
brothers  Sam  and  Fred  my  love,  and  kiss  them  for 


§4  Sunshine  Amoitg  the  Mountains  ; 

me ; I do  so  wish  they  were  here,  for  I know  their 
little  hearts  would  leap  for  joy.  Give  my  love  to 
Mary  Jane  and  kiss  her,  and  tell  her  to  try  to  be  a 
woman,  and  do  what  she  can  for  you.  Do  not  forget 
dear  William  and  Sarah  Hannah ; tell  them  I send 
the  true  love  of  a sister  to  them.  And  now,  dear 
mother,  God  bless  you,  we  shall  soon  see  each  other 
again ; accept  the  warm  love  of  an  affectionate 
daughter. 

“Agnes  Rebecca.” 

Again  she  wrote  the  next  day  ; 

“Liverpool,  August  25th,  1870. 
“ My  beloved  mother  : 

“ You  will  be  astonished  when  I tell  you  that  we 
are  not  on  board  yet.  I am  nearly  tired  of  a Liver- 
pool life  and  no  lome.  I cannot  tell  you  how  fa^ 
tigued  I feel.  I have  never  had  darling  out  of  my 
arms  to-day,  and  have  been  backwards  and  forwards 
to  the  offices  and  pier  to  know  particulars.  Our  lug- 
gage is  to  go  on  board  to-night.  I cannot  tell  you 
when  we  shall  start  I am  sure.  I was  so  glad  to  re- 
ceive a letter  from  AVilliam  this  morning,  it  was  quite 
unexpected,  and  consequently  was  so  good.  Cjive 
my  love  to  him  and  Sarah  Hannah,  also  Polly,  Sam 
and  Fred.  God  bless  you  dear  mother. 

“ From  your  loving  daughter. 


Agnes  Rebecca.” 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife. 

From  the  above  it  will  be  seen  that  she  cherished 
the  idea  of  seeing  my  dear  mother  again.  How  un- 
certain is  every  earthly  thing ! How  little  did  she 
anticipate  when  she  wrote,  that  she  had  seen  her  for 
the  last  time  on  earth  ! How  important  the  injunc- 
tions of  holy  writ,  “Set  thine  house  in  order,”  “Be 
ye  also  ready,”  &c.,  &c. 

“ Mrs.  Acornley’s  impressions  of  the  land  of  her 
adoption  were  favorable  from  the  first,  and  she  set 
herself  at  once  to  the  task  of  making  her  home  com- 
fortable and  agreeable  for  her  husband. 

The  following,  dated  September  24th,  1870,  is  to 
her  father,  giving  an  account  of  her  safe  arrival : 

“1953  Warnock  Street, 

“ Philadelphia,  Pa. 

“ My  dear  father  ; 

“ I dare  say  you  will  wonder  why  I have  not  writ- 
ten before  now  to  tell  you  of  our  arrival.  Well,  the 
reasons  have  been  many,  but  I feel  very  thankful  to 
tell  you  we  are  safe  and  getting  much  better  than  we 
have  been  since  our  voyage.  We  had  it  rough  all  the 
way  except  three  days.  Baby  was  under  the  doctor’s 
care  most  of  the  time,  and  I was  sick  all  the  time  ex- 
cept the  last  two  days.  When  I arrived  in  New  York 
I was  very  weak.  Since  I got  to  Philadelphia  I have 
had  the  throat  complaint.  My  cough  got  most  violent 
on  the  voyage,  and  is  still  distressing;  but  with  that 
exception  I feel  moderately  well.  But  to  alter  the 


Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 

subject,  Mr.  Hamer  and  John  met  me  at  New  York; 
I need  not  tell  you  how  ‘glad  I was  to  see  them. 
Mr.  Hamer  seemed  quite  as  anxious  as  John  for  my 
arrival;  he  met  me  with  the  affection  of  a father;  he 
is  truly  a friend.  Well,  we  started  off  to  Philadel- 
phia, and  got  here  something  after  midnight.  The 
house  is  pleasantly  situated  and  convenient;  I 
hardly  need  describe  the  appearance  of  the  outside 
of  the  house,  for  now  you  are  in  America,  I doubt 
not  you  have  seen  far  more  than  I have.  I have  not 
been  in  the  city  yet ; my  time  has  been  fully  occu- 
pied. There  are  no  P.  M.’s  here.  But  more  another 
time.  Write  to  us  soon. 

“ Our  love  to  you,  dear  father,  from  your  affection- 
ate daughter, 

‘^A.  R.  A.” 

On  the  29th  of  October,  she  wrote  as  follows  to 
my  mother ; 

“1953  Warnock  Street, 

“ Philadelphia,  Pa. 

“ My  beloved  mother  : 

“ I have  plenty  of  news  for  you,  but  I do  not 
know  whether  I can  tell  you  one  half ; I am  afraid 
not. 

“ This  city  is  a magnificent  place — you  have  no 
idea.  There  are  large  shops,  (or  stores,  as  they  call 
them  here,)  hotels,  churches,  etc.  Down  each  side 
of  the  foot-path,  in  the  centre  of  the  city,  are  shade- 


Or,  the  Yoimg  Pastor  s Wife. 


57 


trees  growing.  Many  of  the  houses  are  flat-roofed ; 
Ave  can  walk  out  on  the  top,  dry  clothes,  etc.  There 
are  plenty  of  churches,  but  no  P.  M.’s.  We  have 
been  tAA'ice  to  the  Cohocksink  M.  E.  Church,  AA'hich 
is  the  most  like  a P.  M.  Church  I know  of.  In  the 
afternoon  that  I Avent  there  was  an  experience  meet- 
ing— a right  lively  one  too.  At  night  there  Avas  a 
good  sermon  preached ; they  started  the  prayer- 
meeting Avith  ‘Turn  to  the  Lord,’ (Szc.  They  con- 
duct their  services  different  altogether.  All  the 
congregation  stay  at  the  prayer-meeting.  Service 
begins  at  7.30  P.  M. 

“John  and  the  rest  are  aAvay  from  home,  but  give 
his  and  my  love  to  ^11  the  dear  friends  at  Smith 
street  and  Bamford,  if  you  see  them.  We  are  still 
yours, 

“John  and  Agnes.” 

To  her  sister  she  Avrote — 

“ Dear  Fanny  ; 

“Ten  minutes  ago  I received  a letter  from 
father  for  my  husband ; from  it  I gather  that  you 
are  quite  Avell,  also  father,  but  that  your  mother  is 
sick.  I hope  that  you  Avill  take  care  of  her  and 
nurse  her  Avell,  that  she  may  soon  recover,  and  enjoy 
better  health  than  she  has  formerlv  ; give  her  my 
love,  and  tell  her  I cherish  for  her  a daicghter's 
affection.  Hoav  do  you  like  this  country.^  I like  it 
exceedingly  Avell,  though  you  must  not  think  that  all 


jS  Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 

is  smooth,  yet  I have  cause  to  rejoice.  I trust  you 
will  feel  satisfied  in  this  country,  and  do  your  very 
best  to  make  home  cheerful,  and  your  mother  and 
father  comfortable.  If  you  do  your  duty  thoroughly 
you  will  be  repaid 

“ Wishing  you  prosperity,  temporal  and  spiritual, 
with  a sister’s  fond  affection,  I am  still, 

“Agnes  Rebecca.’’ 

She  was  cheerful  and  pleasant  in  the  performance 
of  all  her  domestic  duties,  and  was  ever  ready  with 
a word  of  encouragement  or  sympathy,  as  the  case 
might  be,  whenever  I returned  home  from  business, 
weary  and  downcast.  During  our  residence  in  Phil- 
ctdelphia  she  made  many  friends,  for  whom  she  re- 
tained a waim  affection  to  the  day  of  her  death. 

While  residing  in  the  city  she  often  suffered  in- 
tensely. At  one  time,  after  speaking  of  her  own 
sickness,  she  thus  refers  to  the  sickness  of  her  eldest 
child  : — 

“ Since  I have  been  sick,  Benjamin  Richard  has 
been  taken  sick ; he  has  had  fits  and  inward  con- 
vulsions, which  held  him  from  twenty  to  thirty-five 
minutes ; poor,  dear  little  darling,  and  me  not  able 
to  help  him.  You  know  what  a mother’s  feelings 
would  be  at  that  time.  I thought  my  heart  would 
break.  However,  the  doctor  considers  him  out  of 
danger  now.  Praise  God  ! ’’ 

As  we  sought  in  vain  for  a Primitive  Methodist 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife.  gp 

% 

Church  in  Philadelphia,  we  were  at  this  time  wor- 
shipping and  laboring  with  the  Cohocksink  M.  E. 
Church,  Germantown  x\venue. 

Subsequent  to  this,  in  order  to  be  more  in  the 
midst  of  my  business  connections,  we  removed  to 
Tamaqua,  a county  town  of  about  8,000  inhabitants, 
situated  among  the  mountains  of  Pennsylvania,  a 
great  height  above  the  level  of  the  sea.  It  is  in  the 
county  of  Schuylkill,  and  ninety-nine  miles  distant 
from  the  city  of  “ brotherly  love.”  Through  its 
centre  runs  a little  creek,  which,  as  it  goes,  gathers 
volume  and  strength,  until,  by  the  time  it  reaches 
Philadelphia,  it  becomes  the  respectable  river  Schuyl- 
kill. The  business  of  the  town  is  principally  coal 
mining.  There  is  one  large  iron  foundry,  a shoe 
factory,  railroad  communication  with  the  outer 
world  ; and  the  religious  privileges  are  on  a par 
with  other  towns.  Here  we  resided  until  Provi- 
dence opened  the  way  for  our  introduction  into  the 
work  of  the  Christian  ministry. 


do 


Sunshine  A?nong  the  Mountains ; 


CHAPTER  V. 

AS  minister’s  wife. 

“ It  you  have  not  gold  and  silver, 

Ever  ready  to  command  ; 

If  you  cannot  t’ward  the  needy, 

Reach  an  ever  open  hand  ; 

You  can  visit  the  afflicted. 

O’er  the  erring-  you  can  weep. 

You  can  be  a true  disciple. 

Sitting-  at  the  Saviour’s  feet. 

Mrs.  EUcn  II.  Gates. 

Previous  to  the  events  recorded  in  the  closing 
part  of  the  last  chapter,  I had  received  an  invitation 
to  labor  as  an  itinerant  minister  in  the  M.  E.  Church, 
and  also  one  from  the  people  of  my  early  choice, 
(Primitive  Methodists  ) Of  course  I resolved  to 
identify  myself  with  the  latter — the  church  of  my 
fathers — a determination  which  my  ,dear  wife  en- 
couraged. Writing  to  her  mother-in-law  from  Phil- 
adelphia, she  says:  “While  John  was  in  the  coal 
region,  he  found  some  P.  M.’s,  and  preached  for 
them  ; you  should  just  see  his  excitement  over  the 
matter;  he  says  it  was  a real  treat.”  Referring  to 
the  fact  of  a number  of  ministers  having  left  the 


Or^  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife.  6i 

connexion,  and  the  societies  being  consequently 
without  a shepherd,  she  says,  “John  is  a member  of 
the  M.  E.  Church,  Philadelphia ; he  will  have  a 
licence  this  year  to  preach  for  them,  unless  he  goes 
to  preach  for  our  dear  lost  people  up  in  the  coal  region." 
Again,  she  says,  “A  gentleman  has  had  some  serious 
talk  with  John  about  the  ministry  (M.  E.)  He  told 
John  to  prepare  himself.  Our  own  people  at  St.  Clair 

are  without  a minister John  is  in  a strait 

what  to  do;  will  you  advise  him,  mother;  his  heart 
is  in  the  work.  Pray  for  us,  dear  mother,  as  we  do 
for  you. 

We  entered  our  first  appointment  at  Mount  Car- 
mel, November,  1871.  This  is  a small  mining  town 
of  about  1,300  inhabitants,  very  pleasantly  situated, 
in  Northumberland  Co.,  Pa.  Here  Primitive  Meth- 
odism had  struggled  for  an  existence  a number  of 
years,  services  being  held  in  school-houses,  and  the 
homes  of  our  people.  When  we  entered  the  station 
the  foundation  of  a new  church  had  already  been 
laid,  upon  which  the  building  was  erected  during  our 
stay.  An  extract  of  a letter  to  her  father  will  show 
her  watchful  interest  in  the  society’s  progress. 

“ Mount  Carmel, 

“ Northumberland  County,  Pa. 

“ April  loth,  1872. 

“ My  dear  father  : 

“ I am  sure  I wish  you  many,  many  happy  returns 
of  the  day ; I trust  you  will  live  to  see  many  more. 


62  Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  ] 

1 had  intended  to  send  you  I5.00,  to  arrive  upon 
your  birthday,  but  I did  not  have  it  just  then.  You 
will  find  it  inclosed.  I would  like  to  send  more  but 

cannot  just  now  ; this  may  be  useful  to  you 

I will  inclose  you  bits  of  dresses  the  children  have 
had  sent  them.  The  people  seem  to  have  received 
us  very  well  here,  and  our  efforts  have  been  crowned 
with  success  ; to  God  be  all  the  praise. 

“ John  will  give  you  an  account  of  the  revival 
services.  He  is  not  well  at  all ; his  chest  and  throat 
are  very  bad  ; cannot  you  tell  me  what  might  do 
him  good  I have  tried  many  remedies.  I think 
it  probable  we  shall  be  removed  this  conference; 
the  circuit  extends  some  thirty  or  more  miles,  and 
we  expect  it  is  going  to  be  divided.  The  conference 
commences  May  ist,  at  Tamaqua.  I shall  be  very 
sorry  to  leave  Mount  Carmel  for  many  things;  but 
I trust  all  will  be  for  the  best.  Good  bye ; the  Lord 
be  with  you  and  bless  you  is  the  prayer  of 
“ Your  affectionate  daughter, 

“Agnes  Rebecca  Acornley.” 

To  her  sister,  after  speaking  of  the  various  efforts 
in  behalf  of  the  Church,  she  says:  “I’ll  tell  you  we 

are  very  busy ; the  people  are  exceedingly  kind  to 

us I feel  that  we  are  going  to  be  the 

agents  for  good.  I pray  that  much  good  may  be  the 
result  of  our  efforts,  but  until  there  is  a change  with 
our  dear  little  one,  I cannot  get  out  so  much  as  I 


Or^  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  6j 

did.  Try  to  be  a good  girl  to  your  dear  mother  and 
father ; do  your  duty  at  all  times,  in  all  places ; give 
them  each  my  kind  love.” 

The  progress  of  the  work  of  God  was  a subject 
upon  which  she  loved  to  dwell ; and  it  afforded  her 
intense  delight  to  see  sinners  saved.  To  her  mother- 
in-law  she  wrote,  March  31st,  1872:  “I  am  really 

so  delighted  with  your  photograph,  ’tis  such  an  ex- 
ceedingly good  one;  we  are  so  very  glad  you  have 
sent  us  one.  John  has  been  away  this  week  holding 
protracted  services  that  have  been  going  on  three 
weeks,  and  I expect  he  will  be  there  (Shamokin)  next 
week.  He  is  so  happy,  they  have  had  such  glorious 
seasons.  He  came  home  this  morning  at  6. 15,  and 
went  away  again  in  the  afternoon  at  3.15,  for  his  to- 
morrow’s appointment.  So,  you  see,  ’tis  quite  a 
luxury  to  have  him  home.  I should  like  you  to  see 
his  journal;  I have  just  been  reading  it  over.  It 
would  do  you  good.  I believe,  dear  mother,  the 
Lord  does  bless  him,  and  his  efforts ; and  my  daily 
prayer  is,  ‘ O Lord,  do  give  him  souls  for  his  hire 
and  seals  to  his  ministry.’  Last  Sabbath  he  preached 
at  Mount  Carmel ; we  had  a time  of  refreshing  from 
the  presence  of  the  Lord.  Three  precious  souls 
stepped  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  sons  of  God. 
And  one  went  home  sorrowing.  I trust  it  will  prove 
sorrow  that  will  work  repentance.  There  have  been 
thirtee7i  brought  through  in  the  circuit  by  his  agency 
since  he  started  in  the  work  at  Mount  Carmel. 


6^  Sunshine  A mong  the  M ountains  ; 

Praise  the  Lord ! Oh  ! it  does  make  me  feel  so  happy. 

I feel  the  Master  is_  withjiim, — with  us 

I saw  the  little  glistening  drops  come  when  I showed 

him  your  photograph I cannot  here 

enumerate  the  draw-backs  we  have  had,  dear  mother, 
but  we  have  had  them  without  number.  If  dear  John 
has  his  health  we  shall  yet  see  better,  brighter  and 
pleasanter  days ; I will  not  say  happier,  for  we  are 
as  happy  in  each  other’s  confidence  as  ever  we  can 
be ; every  week  seems  fb”hnake  us  dearer  to  each 
other.  I pray  that  the  Lord  may  spare  his  life;  that 
it  may  be  a life  dedicated  to  God’s  service.  Oh, 
dear  mother,  I cannot  tell  you  how  much  I love  my 
husband.  Do  not  think  me  foolish ; I have  7io  one 
to  tell  any  one  thing  to,  except  him,  in  this  strange 
land.  Though  friends  we  have  many,  thank  the 
Lord  ! but  not  one  to  whom  I could  tell  a trouble  or 
joy.  That  is  one  reason  why  I so  much  crave  for 
you  to  be  here ; for  when  he  is  away  week  after  week 
it  is  so  lonely  and  dreary,  and  it  makes  me  feel  low 
spirited ; the  children  are  so  young  and  delicate, 
John  does  not  know  how  they  suffer,  he  is  away  so 
much,  and  I get  weary.  But  I am  complaining,  and 
1 do, not  want  to  say  any  thing  that  will  make  you 
feel  bad  dear  mother.  The  Lord  is  very  good  to  me 
amid  all  the  vexations.  There  are  hosts  of  things  I 
could  talk  to  you  about  that  I cannot  write.  Our 
Festival  was  a success.  Accept  my  love, 

“ Your  ever  affectionate  daughter, 

“ Agnes.” 


Or^  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  Sj 

During  our  residence  in  Mount  Carmel  a great 
trial  overtook  our  little  society  at  Gtrardville.  The 
church,  which  was  worth  about  $6,000,  and  had  only 
just  been  cleared  of  debt,  was  burnt  to  the  ground ; 
an  organ  which  cost  $300,  and  the  new  pulpit  bible, 
which  was  the  gift  of  a number  of  young  men,  were 
also  destroyed,  together  with  a house  which  stood 
on  the  next  lot,  belonging  to  sister  Weightman. 
This  calamity  had  a great  effect  on  the  mind  of  sister 
W.  and  brought  on  a long  and  protracted  sickness. 
This  occurred  Friday,  February  2d,  1872.  The 
friends,  although  deeply  humbled  before  God,  were 
not  discouraged.  Their  hope  was  in  God,  and  they 
believed  that 

“Behind  a frowning  providence 
He  hides  a smiling  face.” 

Their  faith  was  honored ; for  the  day  following.  Sat* 
urday,  February  3d,  a meeting  was  called  to  take 
steps  towards  erecting  a larger  and  more  substantial 
building.  God  blessed  them  in  their  subsequent 
efforts,  and  now  a neat  brick  structure  stands  on  the 
old  site,  an  ornament  to  the  town,  and  a credit  to 
the  "heads  and  hearts  of  those  brethren  whose  labors 
contributed  towards  its  erection.  Thus  were  they 
enabled  to  fully  realize  that 

“ God  moves  in  a mysteripus  way 
His  wonders  to  perform.” 

While  we  sat  in  consultation  as  to  what  would  be 
best  to  be  done  with  regard  to  continuing  the  services 
5 


66  Sunshine  Among  the  Mountams  y 

during  the  erection  of  the  new  church,  God  put  it 
into  the  heart  of  Mr.  Griffiths,  the  tavern  keeper,  to 
allow  us  the  use  of  a room  he  had  behind  the  tavern; 
a messenger  was  sent  to  the  meeting  to  inform  us  of 
this  offer,  who  also  intimated  that  we  should  not  be 
expected  to  pay  a single  cent  for  rent.  Expressions 
of  joy  and  gratitude  burst  from  the  lips  of  every  one 
present,  and  earnest  prayer  was  offered  that  God  in 
his  infinite  mercy  might  bless  the  man  who  had  thus 
come  to  our  aid  in  this  time  of  need.  That  after- 
noon the  room  was  filled  with  benches,  and  made 
ready  for  service.  The  following  day  I took  the 
stand,  preached  twice,  and  conducted  a fellowship 
meeting.  We  had  a glorious  time;  believers  shouted; 
sinners  wept ; the  word  was  quick  and  powerful ; the 
prayers  of  God’s  people  were  heard,  and  two  precious 
souls  stepped  into  the  liberty  of  His  dear  children. 
Hallelujah!  Thus  was  this  Hall  dedicated  to  the 
service  of  the  Most  High.  At  this  time  our  baby 
Ebenezer  Hamar  was  so  very  sick  we  did  not  expect 
he  would  recover ; yet  Mrs.  Acornley’s  own  trouble 
did  not  prevent  her  from  sympathizing  with  others 
in  distressing  circumstances.  Writing  to  her  mother- 
in-law,  she  says; — “ I am  in  great  trouble  just 
now.  I do  not  think  dear  baby  will  live.  I have 
scarcely  had  any  r^st  day  or  night  for  three  weeks. 

I cannot  tell  you  more  now The 

people  are  exceedingly  kind,  we  want  for  no  sympa- 
thy or  respect 


Or^  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  6f 

'“Cousin  Jane  Eleanor’s  husband  went  out  West 
two  months  ago.  She  is  still  in  Cornwall.  He  has 
died,  and  is  buried  in  a strange  land,  without  a friend 
to  close  his  eyes.  Poor  girl,  she  is  in  deep  trouble. 
I feel  for  her  very  much.”  As  the  reader  will  here 
see  by  the  foregoing  extract,  an  allusion  is  made  to 
the  death  of  her  cousin’s  husband  (Mr.  George)  while 
at  Treasure  City,  Nevada.  He  died  and  was  buried 
among  strangers,  having  been  but  a few  weeks  in  the 
country,  Mrs.  Acornley  wrote  the  young  widow  a 
letter  of  condolence;  and  as  we  have  not  the  letter 
at  hand,  the  following  extract  from  the  reply  she 
received  will  indicate  the  tenor  of  her  epistle : 

■“  St.  Day,  Cornwall, 

January  25th,  1872. 

■“  My  dear  cousins: 

“I  need  hardly  tell  you  that  your  kind,  though 
short,  letter  was  to  me  very  welcome.  If  anybody 
ever  needed  sympathy,  I think  it  is  myself.  I pray, 
my  dear,  that  such  a trial  as  mine  may  never  befall 
you ; for  no  one  can  imagine  what  it  is  like  except 
those  who  have  passed  through  the  same.  My  Bible 
tells  me  that  ‘whom  the  Lord  loveth  he  chasteneth,’ 
therefore  I do  strive  to  bow  meekly  to  the  rod,  be- 
lieving that  He,  who  is  too  wise  to  err,  knows  best 
what  is  good  for  me,  and  if  he  did  not  love  me  I 
should  not  be  so  chastened.  But  oh,  it  is  very  hard 
to  feel  submissive  to  the  divine  will,  but  I do  pray 


68  Sunshine  Among  the  Mou?ifains  ; 

for  grace  to  make  me  so.  Pray  for  me,  my  dear 
cousins,  both  of  you  I earnestly  ask  your  interest  at 
the  throne  of  grace;  please  remember  me.  1 should 
very  much  like  to  see  you,  I have  a great  deal  to  say 
to  you,  but  I feel  as  if  I cannot  write  it,  at  least  not 
just  now,  and  I am  afraid  I shall  never  see  you  again 

in  this  world,  you  are  so  very, very  far  away 

I have  one  true  friend  above,  and  to  Him  I look  for 
all  my  help.  I feel  assured  that  if  I trust  in  Him  and 
do  my  duty  He  will  be  what  He  has  promised,  the 
‘ Husband  of  the  widow  and  the  Father  of  the  father-^ 
less.’  .....  I see  from  your  address  you 
have  again  changed  residences.  I should  be  glad  to 
know,  if  it  is  not  asking  too  much,  what  your  pros- 
pects in  life  are?  Has  your  dear  husband  entered 
the  ministry  ? I almost  conclude  he  has  from  the 
tone  of  your  letter,  though  you  do  not  positively  say 

so I would  ask  you  to  kindly  write 

to  me  very  often,  your  letters  will  do  me  good,  and 

give  me  a little  consolation Please  let 

me  have  a reply  very  soon,  for  I shall  be  anxiously 
waiting  for  it.  And  now,  with  kindest  love  to  you 
both,  believe  me, 

“Yours,  most  affectionately, 

“Jane  Eleanor  George. 

“ Kiss  the  babies  for  me.’’ 

Our  Annual  Conference,  which  met  in  Tamaqua 
on  the  I St  of  May,  stationed  us  for  Plymouth  Circuit 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife. 


6g 


along  with  brother  W.  B.  Beach.  We  resided  at 
Hughestown,  a little  village  about  a mile  from  the 
town  of  Pittston,  Luzerne  County.  Pittston  is  built 
on  the  banks  of  the  river  Susquehanna,  in  the  beauti- 
ful valley  of  Wyoming.  The  surrounding  scenery  is 
indeed  lovely.  By  some,  this  valley  is  said  to  be  the 
garden  of  Pennsylvania. 

“ On  Susquehanna’s  side,  fail'  Wyoming  i 

Sweet  land ! may  I thy  lost  delight  recall.” 

Campbell. 

» 

“ Oh ! not  the  visioned  jioet  m his  dreams, 

When  silvery  clouds  float  through  the  ’wildered  brain, 

Wlien  every  sight  so  lovely,  wild  and  grand, 
Astonishes,  enraptures,  elevates — 

When  fancy,  at  a g'lance,  combines 
The  wond’rous  and  the  beautiful, — 

So  bright,  so  fair,  so  mild  a scene, 

Hath  ever  yet  beheld.” 

Shelley. 

It  is  claimed  that  the  German  Missionary,  Count 
Zinzendorf,  was  the  first  white  man  who  ever  beheld 
the  beauties  of  this  romantic  section  of  country.  In 
the  year  1742  he  sought,  in  the  wilds  of  the  forest,  to 
proclaim  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  to  the  untu- 
tored savage.  Fierce  and  prolonged  wars  have 
taken ’place  in  this  valley,  and  the  blood  of  white 
man  and  red  man  has  mingled  in  mortal  strife. 
During  those  border  wars  atrocious  crimes  were 
perpetrated,  and  wrongs  committed  both  on  white 
man  and  Indian. 


70 


SimsMne  Among  fJie  Mountains ; 


“ Nature  hath  made  thee  lovelier  than  the  power 
Bven  of  Campbell’s  pen  hath  pictured ; he 
Had  woven,  had  he  gazed  one  sunny  hour 
Upon  thy  winding  vale,  its  scenery, 

With  more  of  truth,  and  made  eaoh'rock  and  tree 
Known  like  old  friends,  and  greeted  from  afar ; 

And  there  are  tales  of  sad  reality 
In  the  dark  legions  of  thy  border  war. 

With  woes  of  deeper  tint  than  his  own  Sertrnde’s  are.’' 

Halleck. 


Clark,  the  historian,  says,  when  speaking  of  “ Wyo- 
ming’s classic  vale,”  “ Its  own  intrinsic  loveliness  has. 
been  the  theme  of  poet  and  tourist  since  the  day 
when  enraptured  eyes  first  beheld  it.  Its  historical 
incidents  have  been  breathed  over  the  firesides  of  the 
entire  American  nation.  Its  sudden  and  giant-like 
growth  has  drawn  to  it  the  wonder  and  applause  of 
the  world,  while  its  seemingly  exhaustless  supply  of 
mineral  wealth,  challenges  the  astonishment  of  the 
old  world,  that  but  a century  ago  had  never  dreamed 
of  this  El  Dorado  in  the  forests  of  America.” 

A great  change  has  now  come  over  the  entire  face 
of  the  country.  Where  once  the  wild  man  ran,  and 
the  crack  of  the  huntsman’s  rifle  was  heard ; now 
the  evidences  of  civilization  appear  on  every  hand. 
How  marked  the  change ! 

The  impression  seems  to  prevail  in  the  minds  of 
some  people,  that  in  the  coal  section  of  these  Penn- 
sylvania mountains  there  is  nothing  but  dense  moral 
darkness,  barbarous  rudeness,  and  savage  ferocity. 
This,  however,  we  are  proud  to  say,  is  only  so  to  a 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife.  yi 

very  limited  extent ; although  we  admit  that  much 
that  is  sinful  and  sad  exists  among  these  mountains ; 
yet  we  must  say  that  those  persons  who  entertain  the 
views  we  have  alluded  to,  have  only  seen  the  dark 
side,  or  heard  exaggerated  statements,  and  have  thus 
formed  unjust  conclusions  concerning  these  “hardy 
sons  of  toil.” 

Miners,  as  a class,  have  their  besetments  and 
vices,  it  is  true ; nor  would  it  be  untrue  to  say 
that  numbers  of  them  are  rough  in  appearance  and 
deportment;  yet^  beneath  that  rough  exterior  are 
often  found  generous  sentiments,  refined  feelings, 
manly  qualities,  warm  hearts  and  holy  lives.  Relig- 
ion flourishes  to  a considerable  extent  among  these 
mountains.  There  are  spots  which  are  illuminated 
with  brilliant  and  glorious  rays  of  moral  sunshine  ; 
and  in  those  spots  there  are  heads  as  clear,  intellects 
as  quick,  reputations  as  pure,  and  characters  as 
unstained  as  can  be  found  under  more  favorable 
circumstances  in  any  city,  town,  or  village  from  the 
Atlantic  to  the  Pacific  coast.  To  these  “ hardy  sons  ” 
we  are  indebted  for  many  of  the  comforts  we  enjoy. 
Some  poet  has  sung — 

“ Before  the  miner  pierced  the  field. 

The  soldier  had  no  sword  to  wield  ; 

To  sailors  Neptune  would  not  yield 
Old  ocean,  like  a parchment  sealed. 

The  rail-car  had  not  kept  the  rail. 

Nor  steamships  sped  without  a sail ; 

The  Lightning’S  had  not  told  their  tale 
From  northern  hill  to  southern  vale.” 


J2  Sinisfu'jie  A?fi077g  the  Motinfaim  ; 

Again  the  same  poet  has  sung — 

“ The  sailov’s  life  has  its  round  of  charms, 

The  stonn  and  chase  with  their  wild  alanns  r 
And  he  siiig-s  as  the  boatswain  pipes  to  arms, 

‘Ho!  ho!  for  the' sea  with  its  mystic  charms.' 

The  soldier  flgrhts  for  a scanty  hire. 

Yet  pants  for  the  strife  and  the  battle’s  fire  ; 

As  he  to  the  I’ampart’s  heig-hts  aspii-es 
Sing-s— ‘ ho ! for  the  strife  and  the  battle’s  Are.' 

The  farmer  treads  o’er  his  fuiTowed  land. 

And  scatters  seed  with  his  careful  hand, 

~ And  sings  as  he  twists  his  shining  bands, 

‘ Ho ! ho  ! tor  hearty  harvest  hands.' 

The  miner  pants  for  no  gory  g-oal : 

In  vain  to  him  may  the  battle  roll ; 

Yet  his  manly  heart  and  his  fearless  soul 
Sings  ho  I sffcwessto  the  gleaming  coal.’ 

We  dig  by  day,  and  we  dig  by  night. 

For  the  iron  ore  and  the  anthracite — 

For  the  ore  so  gray,  and  the  coal  so  bright ; 

Sing  ho  ! for  the  ore  and  the  anthracite.” 

Mrs.  Acornley  was  eminently  fitted  for  the  office 
of  minister’s  wife.  Solomon  says,  “ A virtuous  wo- 
man is  a crown  to  her  husband.”  “ Her  price  is  far 
above  rubies.  The  heart  of  her  husband  doth  safely 
trust  in  her.”  “She  will  do  him  good,  and  not  evil, 
all  the  days  of  her  life.”  “ Every  pastor  stands  in 
need  of  encouragement,  of  cheerfulness,  of  peace  in 
his  own  home,  to  enable  him  to  bear  what  life  brings 
with  it,  and  still  to  preserve  the  power  of  working 


(9r,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife. 


73 


for  the  benefit  of  mankind.”  And  a good  wife  is  not 
only  a benefit  to  him  personally,  but  is  certainly  an 
acquisition  to  any  community.  She  helps  the  pastor, 
makes  for  him  a pleasant  home,  increases  the  social 
feeling  between  him  and  his  people,  and  is  a blessing 
to  them  in  many  ways.  The  fundamental  qualities 
which  every  true  minister’s  wife  ought  to  possess  are 
good  common  sense,  mental  culture,  and  sincere 
piety — which  includes  faith,  love,  courage,  zeal, 
meekness,  patience,  and  humility.  Of  course  there 
will  not  be  perfection  in  all,  or  any  one  of  these 
graces,  neither  is  it  claimed  for  the  subject  of  this 
memoir ; mistakes  she  did  make  at  times,  but  in  all  she 
conscientiously  endeavored  to  discharge  her  duties 
as  they  rose.  There  are  many  unthinking  people  in 
our  churches  who  expect  a good  minister’s  wife  to  be 
found,  like  some  garments,  a complete  fit ; they  ex- 
pect her  to  be  as  the  Baptist  Magazine  says,  “War- 
ranted never  to  have  headache  or  neuralgia;  she 
should  have  nerves  of  wire  and  sinews  of  iron ; she 
should  never  be  tired  or  sleepy,  and  should  be  every- 
body’s cheerful  drudge;  she  should  be  cheerful,  intel- 
lectual, pious  and  domesticated ; should  be  pleased 
with  everybody  and  everything,  and  never  desire  any 
reward  beyond  the  satisfaction  of  having  done  her 
own  duty,  and  other  people’s  too.”  And  then,  if  she 
does  not  come  up  to  these  requirements,  they  are 
ready  to  grumble  and  find  fault.  This  ought  not  so 
to  be,  for  it  is  the  training  in  the  sphere  that  qualifies 


"^4  Siai s/line  A7no7ig  tJic  Mo7/77tai7is  ; 

her  fo7'  it,  though  some  have  more  native  con- 
geniality to  thritatiorTthan  others.  The  true  min- 
ister’s wife,  while  she  is  endeavoring,  as  in  the  sight 

of  her  heavenly  Master,  to  do  her  duty, 

• 

“ She  knows 

Herself  the  mark  of  scrutinizing’  eyes, 
j And  curious  observations.  Apt  remarks 
I Are  ventured,  subtle  questions  asked,  to  pro’\’c 
I And  fathom  her  opinions.” 

And,  although  in  her  experience  she  finds  that 
“ there  are  shadows  as  well  as  lights,  clouds  as  well 
as  sunshine,  thorns  as  well  as  roses,  but  much  hap- 
piness after  all,”  she  realizes  that — 

“ Duty  is  a prickly  shrub,  but  its  flower  will  be  happiness 
and  glory.” 

In  household  affairs  Mrs.  Acornley  displayed  much 
good  taste.  When,  like  many  others  not  in  affluent 
circumstances,  she  had  not  furniture  sufficient  for 
use  and  convenience,  she  stayed  not  to  murmer  or 
repine,  but  carefully  adorned  her  home  with  all  the 
little  articles  of  beauty  or  value  which  kind  friends 
had  given  her.  She  was  very  fond  of  choice  flowers 
and  beautiful  leaves,  and  when  she  wrote  to  her 
various  friends,  would  often  insert  a leaf,  or  a dried 
flower  in  the  envelope.  Writing  to  her  father,  who 
at  that  time  resided  in  the  state  of  Minnesota,  she 
says  : — “ Those  leaves  you  enclosed  were  really 
beautiful.  I have  not  lost  my  taste  for  flowers,  trees 
and  ferns ; though  I have  grown  from  a child  to  a 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife. 


75 


woman.  I have  still  that  childish  will  to  watch  over 
a few  flowers  with  tender  care,  and  I love  to  examine 
beautiful  leaves.”  She  would  have  endorsed  every 
sentiment  contained  in  the  following  lines,  by  the 
Countess  of  Blessington  : 

“ Flowers  are  the  bright  remembrancers  of  youth ; 

They  waft  us  hack,  with  theii-  bland  odorous  breath, 

The  joyous  hours  that  only  young  life  knows. 

Ere  we  have  learnt  that  this  fair  earth  hides  graves. 

They  bring  the  cheek  that ’s  mouldering  in  the  dust 
Again  before  us,  tinged  with  health’s  own  rose ; 

They  bring  the  voices  we  shall  hear  no  more. 

Whose  tones  were  sweetest  music  to  our  ears ; 

They  bring  the  hopes  that  faded  one  by  one, 

’TiU  nought  was  left  to  light  our  path  but  faith,  . 

That  we  too,  like  the  flowei’s,  should  spring  to  life. 

But  not,  like  them,  again  e’er  fade  or  die.” 

And  then,  with  Bernard  Barton,  she  might  have  said 

“ If  such  the  soothing  precepts  taught  by  you. 

Beautiful  blossoms ! weU  may  ye  appear 
As  silent  preachers  in  the  Christian’s  ^■iew.” 

Her  house  was  the  abode  of  affection,  peace,  com- 
fort and  joy;  and  notwithstanding  many  privations, 
it  might  be  said  of  her  home  and  family,  that 

“ There  each  soul  with  heavenly  hope  is  blest, 

And^very  thought  of  strife  is  KiTshed  to  rest. 

There  sweet  affection  its  mild  radiance  throws. 

And  bids  each  heart  in  mutual  love  repose. 

O,  they  have  comforts  that  all  griefs  defy. 

And  joys  that  wealth  and  greatness  cannot  buy, 
Treasures  laid  up  in  realms  of  endless  day, 

A kingdom  that  shall  never  pass  awayj 


Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 

And  e’en  on  earth  to  them  the  seal  is  given, 

Of  their  eternal  heritage  in  Heaven. 

’Tis  this  which  to  that  lowly  cottage  brings 
i Such  peace,  from  this  their  heartfelt  gladness  springs, 
j This  sheds  a halo  round  each  changing  scene, 

( And  gilds  earth’s  desert  waste  with  ,ioys  serene.” 

Affliction  and  bereavement,  however,  soon  entered 
that  peaceful  home.  Our  little  one,  Ebenezer  Hamar, 
was  taken  away  to  mingle  with  that  countless  multi- 
tude of  children  “ around  the  throne  of  God  in 
heaven.”  The  tender  tiny  rose,  “ fair  and  beautiful 
as  a truant  one  from  Eden,  planted  by  some  seraph’s 
hand,”  was  “ nipped  in  the  bud.” 

“ There’s  not  a flock,  however  watched  and  tended. 

But  one  dead  lamb  la  there ; 

There’s  not  a household,  howsoe’er  defended. 

But  has  one  vacant  chair.” 

This  was  a sore  trial.  The  more  sickly  and  trouble- 
some children  are,  the  closer  they  seem  to  twine 
themselves  round  a good  mother’s  heart,  and  conse- 
quently, the  harder  it  is  to  part  with  them.  This 
dear  child  was  born  amidst  distressing  circumstances 
and  anxious  cares ; nevertheless,  with  many  tears 
and  many  prayers,  he  was  laid  on  God’s  altar,  and 
in  Jesus’  arms,  and  consecrated  to  the  Most  High. 
And  when  his  short  probation  was  ended,  as  she 
gazed  on  his  little  pale  face,  as  he  lay  cold  and  still  in 
death,  although  her  heart  seemed  well  nigh  with  an- 
guish riven,  she  did  not  sorrow  as  one  without  hope, 
but  was  enabled  to  see  the  hand  of  her  beneficent 


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77 


Lord,  and  could  say  from  her  heart,  “ The  Lord  gave 
and  the  Lord  hath  taken  away,  blessed  be  the  name 
of  the  Lord.”  She  was  consoled  with  the  thought 
that  he  was  only  gone  a little  ahead ; that  the  good 
Lord  had  only  plucked  her  rose-bud,  that  it  might 
open  into  flower  in  the  garden  of  Clod. 

When  this  occurred  her  sorrow  was  augmented 
by  a feeling  of  loneliness,  having  been  but  a few 
weeks  on  this  station,  and  consequently  being  among 
strangers.  However,  the  friends  were  very  kind,  and 
our  babe  was  laid  in  his  little  grave  in  “sure  and 
certain  hope  of  the  resurrection  to  eternal  life,” 
Rev.  W.  B.  Beach  officiating.  The  following  paper, 
written  about  this  time,  will  illustrate  her  feelings, 
and  give  an  idea  of  the  devotion  which  pervaded  her 
mind  under  these  afflictive  circumstances  : 

“ Through  the  various  changing  scenes  of  this  (my) 
life,  I have  been  made  fully  to  realize  that  beautiful 
passage,  ‘ I have  never  seen  the  righteous  forsaken,  nor 
his  seed  begging  bread.’  What  confidence  seems 
placed  in  those  few  words ; what  comfort  the  poor 
Christian  may  take  if  he  trusts ; what  a holy  feeling 
may  pervade  his  whole  frame,  his  whole  actions,  words 
and  thoughts.  Yea, ‘though  thy  father  and  thy  mother 
forsake  thee,  the  Lord  will  take  thee  up.’  Then  why 
should  I,  a poor  weak  worm  of  the  earth,  yet  an  heir 
of  heaven ; 1,  an  erring  daughter  of  Eve,  yet  a child 
of  God  ; I,  unworthy  and  polluted,  yet  a sinner  saved 
by  grace ; why  should  I faint,  why  should  I despond 


Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 

or  feel  sad  ? my  Father  knows  my  fears  ; He  can  de- 
fend me;  He  knows  my  weakness,  He  can  protect 
and  strengthen  me.  ‘ Praise  the  Lord,  O my  soul, 
and  forget  not  all  his  benefits.’  Truly  I can  say  and 
feel  that  ‘ Hitherto  the  Lord  hath  helped  me.’  The 
removal  of  our  darling  Ebenezer  is,  I trust,  a bless- 
ing in  disguise.  I do  feel  that  through  it  my  heart 
has  been  purified.  My  Father  thought  the  flower  or 
bud  had  bloomed  long  enough  down  here,  so  now  it 
blooms  in  the  garden  of  paradise.  I may  not  feel 
very  well  in  body,  but  my  soul  is  on  full  stretch  for 
the  kingdom.  This  morning  we  went  to  church — 
very  few  present* — yet  though  cast  down,  not  forsa- 
ken, we  each  had  a blessing, 

‘ The  Lord  came  down  our  souls  to  greet, 

AVhile  glory  crown’d  the  mercy  seat.’ 

This  afternoon  I went  to  school,  just  at  time,  sent  for 
the  keys  and  started ; addressed  the  scholars  on  the 
Deluge ; had  a very  interesting  season.  Went  to 
church  at  6 o’clock ; Bro.  P—  started  the  service  ; 
we  had  a very  good  congregation  after  all,  and  truly 
we  felt  cheered.  Bro.  P — spoke  from  the  words, 
‘ Let  not  your  heart  be  troubled,’  &c.  And  indeed 
why  need'  we  ? for  if  faithful  unto  death,  the  promise 


* The  reason  of  so  few  being  present  was  owing  to  the  fact  of 
nearly  all  the  society  having  removed  out  West ; a number  went 
to  Ohltown,  Ohio,  and  formed  a society  which  is  now  the  head  of 
a station. 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife. 


79 


is,  a robe  of  righteousness ; a crown  of  glory ; a 
palm  of  victory  ; and  we  shall  drink  of  the  river  of 
life ; eat  of  the  tree  in  the  midst  of  the  garden  ; we 
shall  hunger  no  more ; nor  thirst  any  more ; and 
God,  eveji  our  God  (how  beautiful ! how  sublime !) 
shall  wipe  all  tears  from  our  eyes.  A dear  sister  of 
the  M.  E.  Church  spoke,  and  truly  the  Lord  was  in 
our  midst;  we  all  felt  good* I am  sure,  I think  we 
frightened  old  Satan  clear  away.” 

A.  R.  A. 

Her  own  health  was  very  feeble  at  this  time,  hence 
she  wrote  as  follows  to  her  mother-in-law  : 

August  14th,  1872. 

“ My  beloved  mother, 

“ Do  not  think  me  negligent  or  thoughtless  for  not 
writing  to  you  sooner.  My  mind  is  quite  upset,  and 
I have  not  had  any  desire,  or  heart,  to  write.  I am 
not  well  at  all,  and  unless  there  is  a great  change 
speedily  I shall  be  soaring  away.  I seem  to  grow 
weaker  each  day.  If  I do  go  away,  I would  like  our 
dear,  only  boy,  Benjamin  Richard,  to  be  under  his 
dear  grandmama’s  care,  please  remember.  He  is  a 
dear  child.” 

After  speaking  of  the  affection  of  her  eldest  child 
for  his  little  brother,  who  was  gone,  she  continues : 
“ I do  not  mourn  for  my  child,  wishing  him  to  return, 
dear  mother,  but  only  a mother  who  has  lost  or 


Simshine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 

parted  with  a dear  one,  knows  my  feelings,  or  can 
truly  sympathize  with  me.  Our  darling  was  always 
sickly  and  weak ; and  had  it  pleased  the  Lord  to 
spare  his  life,  I think  he  would  never  have  been  a 

strong  man The  Lord  lent  him  to 

us  a little  time,  and  now  He  hath  need  of  him.  I 
cannot  repine,  dear  mother.  He  was  indeed  a lovely 
flower ; every  one  used  to  say,  ‘ what  a beautiful 

child.’ I s^em  now  to  have  a tie  that 

should  bind  me  to  this  land,  and  .likewise  another 
link  to  bind  me  to  the  glory  land.  Pray  for  us,  dear 
mother,  that  we  may  be  kept  steadfast.  I do  sin- 
cerely wish  that  you  and  dear  Fred,  and  Sam,  and 

Polly  were  all  here If  you  come,  I 

shall  come  to  live  with  you,  dear  mothep  to  get  well 
again.  I need  a gentle  hand  to  take  care  of  me,  for 
my  mind  seems  shattered  ; I dont  know  why.  1 do 

not  repine May  God  bless  you,  dear 

mother,  and  the  children. 

“Your  affectionate  daughter, 

“Agnes  Rebecca  Acornley. 

She  had  purposed,  had  circumstances  permitted, 
visiting  her  native  land,  England.  But  in  this  she 
was  doomed  to  disappointment;  still  she  did  not  re- 
pine. Writing  to  her  husband’s  mother,  at  different 
times,  she  says:  “Disappointments  await  us  at  all 
times ; you  and  I are  permitted  to  receive  another ; 
before  I name  it  you  know  what  it  is.  I thought  that 


Or,  the  Young  PastoPs  Wife.  Si 

before  now — in  this  month — I should  have  had  the 
unspeakable  pleasure  of  taking  a good  cup  of  tea 
with  you.  But  circumstances  alter  cases  sometimes.” 
Speakii^g  of  the  division  of  the  circuit,  she  says: 
“ We  have  eight  preaching  places ; it  will  be  hard  work ; 
the  local  help  is  insufficient,  but  I trust,  with  God’s 
blessing,  we  shall  do  wonders ; already  the  cloud 
seems  to  be  breaking.  We  have  managed  to  build  a 
little  church  since  we  came  on  the  circuit.”  Again, 
■“  now  do  try  to  write,  if  only'  a line  or  two,  or  let 
brother  Sam ; we  have  been  very  anxious  to  hear 
how  brother  Fred  is;  it  seems  so  very  strange  no 
one  writes.  You  know  we  are  away,  but  you  have 
no  idea  how  we  prize  a line,  or  a paper.  Brother 
William  has  been  real  good  to  send  us  so  many 
P.  M’s  and  B,  W’s  (Primitive  Methodists  and  British 
Workman.)  I hope  he  will  continue,  for  they  are  so 
valuable;  they  please  and  interest  us  more  than  one 
pennyworth.  We  have  only  had  one  letter  from  him 
since  our  birdie  flew  away;  but  he  has  got  other  cares 
of  a domestic  nature,  and  we  excuse  him.  But  you 
know  my  feelings,  you  can  imagine  how  very  lonely 
we  are  sometimes.  If  we  have  things  cross  our  path, 
to  try  our  faith,  or  Christian  fortitude,  we  have  7iot 
one  of  our  relatives  to  whom  we  can  tell  our  trouble 
or  relieve  our  mind.  Those  at  home  can  fly  to  you 
in  person,  and  you  can  advise  and  sympathize  with 
them  there  and  then ; but  we  are  here,  and  when 
cast  down,  no  one  of  our  own  to  sympathize  or  ad- 
6 


S2  Sunshine  Amang  the  Mountains  ; 

vise.  We  cannot  write  what  we  could  tell  you.  Do 
write  and  let  us  know  how  you  all  are.”  Again,  she 
says:  “ Our  missionary  meetings  are  just  over;  they 
have  proved  a real  success,  seeing  they  are  the  first 
ever  held  by  our  people  up  in  this  region.  We  hope 
to  realize  '^75.00  by  the  effort.  W'e  are  still  short  of 
our  salary,  but  we  have  never  wanted  for  provisions. 
Only  money  is  short,  and  we  hope  to  obtain  that. 
Our  circuit  is  a very  hard  one;  the  roads  are  rough 
to  travel,  the  weather  is  most  severe.  John  is  oft- 
times  weary  in  the  work,  but  not  of  the  work.  I pray 
he  may  never  be.  He  is  so  much  away  from  home  he 
has  not  time  enough  for  study.  I do  not  know  how  he 
manages  at  all.  It  is  not  all  pleasure  to  be  a minister 
or  a minister’s  wife ; there  is  every  disposition  to 
watch,  and  form  yourself  to.  But  amid  all  our  dis- 
couragements we  have  a very  great  deal  to  be  thank- 
ful for.  Our  societies  have  suffered  greatly  from 
removals.  A very  great  many  have  gone  west  on 
account  of  work,  trade  in  general  about  here  being 
so  bad ; this  makes  our  money  matters  bad,  and  our 
societies  weak.” 

Speaking  of  her  approaching  sickness,  she  says  : 
“ I feel  very  sad  over  it  somehow,  though  I ought,  and 
do  try  to  leave  it  in  the  hands  of  my  heavenly 
Father.  I feel  as  if  I shall  not  see  over  it;  the  cold 
is  intense;  many  are  dying  round  here.  I hope  you 
will  pray  for  me.  I do  wish  you  were  here,  and  then 
all  would  go  right,  I know.  If  anything  happens  to 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  8g 

me,  I hope  you  will  take  our  Benjamin  Richard, 
and  may  the  Lord  bless  you.” 

God,  however,  was  better  to  her  than  all  her  fears. 
He  kindly  brought  her  through  the  furnace  of  afflic- 
tion, and  made  her  the  living  mother  of  a living 
child.  Ought  not  feelings  of  gratitude  to  fill  the 
hearts  of  Christian  parents  for  God’s  great  goodness 
to  them  at  these  times.  So  it  was  with  the  subject  of 
this  memoir;  joyous  emotions,  sunny  hopes,  tender 
attachment,  and  unfeigned  gratitude  filled  her  heart, 
and  often  found  expression  on  her  tongue.  It  was 
to  her  a 

“ Delightful  task ! to  rear  the  tender  thought. 

To  teach  the  young  idea  how  to  shoot. 

To  pour  the  fresh  instruction  o’er  the  mind. 

To  breathe  the  enlivening  spixit,  and  to  fix 
The  generous  puiipose  in  the  glowing  bi’east.” 

And  often  have  we  felt 

“ Our  heart  grow  softer  as  we  gazed  upon 

That  youthful  mother,  as  she  soothed  to  rest. 

With  a low  song,  her  loved  and  cherished  one. 

The  bud  of  promise  on  her  gentle  breast ; 

For  ’tis  a sight  that  angel  ones  above 
May  stoop  to  gaze  on  from  their  bowers  of  bliss, 

When  Innocence  upon  the  bi-east  of  Love 
Is  cradled,  in  a sinful  world  like  this.” 

In  a letter  to  her  father,  referring  to  one  of  her 
children,  she  says : “ I pray  he  may  be  spared  to  be 
an  ornament  to  the  church,  a pillar  to  build  her 


S4  Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  j 

up,  and  a bright  light  to  go  out  no  more  forever.  I 
want  and  pray  that  he  may  do  the  work  we  have  left 
undone.” 

About  this  time  the  Rev.  B.  Whillock,  Mrs.  Acorn- 
ley’s  father,  met  with  a very  serious  accident,  while 
driving  in  a cutter  one  Sunday  to  perform  the  ser- 
vices at  a funeral.  The  horse  ran  away,  the  cutter 
upset,  and  he  was  thrown  over  on  the  ice.  His 
collar  bone  was  broken,  and  he  was  otherwise  in- 
jured in  different  parts  of  the  body.  In  reply  to  a 
letter  of  her  sister’s,  informing  her  of  this  misfortune, 
she  wrote, 

“ My  dear  sister  Fanny, 

“ I was  really  very  glad  to  hear  from  you  yester- 
day, though  sorry  to  hear  of  father’s  misfortune. 
You  never  spoke  one  word  of  your  mother.  I con- 
sider that  an  oversight.  I wish  to  know  of  all  your 
welfare.  Do  not  fail  to  keep  me  posted.  I am 
sorry  you  suffer  with  the  headache.  I trust  you  will 
never  suffer  as  I do.  I fall  insensible  sometimes 
with  the  excessive  weakness ; my  sight  goes,  and 
through  my  temples  one  convulsive  throb,  and  I am 
gone.  I am  alone  most  of  the  time.  It  is  not  alto- 
gether safe ; though  when  I feel  to  go  blind,  I lie  down 
on  the  sofa  a few  minutes,  with  my  eyes  closed,  and 
so  put  it  off.  For  several  years  I have  suffered 
severely  with  pain  in  the  head,  and  whatever  I try 
does  not  seem  to  do  me  much  good 


Or,  the  Yoking  Pastor's  Wife.  8^ 

I hope  you  will  write  often  and  let  me  knowhow  you 
each  are.  Now  do  not  fail,  as  I shall  be  very  anx- 
ious ; meanwhile  accept  my  warmest  love  as  a sister. 

“ Agnes  Rebecca.” 

To  her  father  she  wrote  as  follows : 

February,  1873. 

“ My  dear  father, 

“ I am  sure  I need  not  tell  you  how  very  deeply  I 
sympathize  with  you  in  your  great  affliction.  I have 
not  words  to  express  my  sorrow  or  sympathy.  I 
sincerely  trust  you  may  be  speedily  restored,  though 
I am  afraid  never  to  your  former  strength.  I had  a 
forewarner  of  a something,  and  have  been  deeply 
and  doubly  anxious  of  late.  I have  still  terrible 
misgivings.  I trust  nothing  more  serious  will  occur. 
My  dear  John  never  goes  away  from  home  but 
something  whispers,  will  he  return  to  me  again 
safe  ? I try  to  leave  these  things  in  the  hands  of  my 
heavenly  Father.  Our  prayer  daily  arises  from  the 
family  altar  for  you,  and  the  welfare,  temporally  and 
spiritually,  of  each  of  }'-ou. 

“You  must  not  think  it  strange  I do  not  write  to 
you  more  often.  I have  never  felt  like  writing  or 
sitting  still  long  enough  to  write  since  our  birdie  flew 
away  eight  months  ago ; our  house  has  never  seemed 
the  same.  But  the  flower  blooms  in  a more  con- i 
genial  and  heavenly  atmosphere,  and  soon  we  will 
smell  the  fragrance,  if  faithful  unto  the  end.  I need 


S6  Simshme  Among  the  Mountains ; 

not  ask  if  you  suffer  pain,  I am  sure  you  must.  Da 
write  often  and  let  us  know  how  you  are — or  rather 
Fanny.  I was  very  glad  indeed  to  see  her  hand- 
writing. I hope  she  will  not  fail  to  let  us  see  it 

often We  are  very  anxious.  I hope,. 

through  mercy^  you  will'  soon  recover*  and  that  irr 
this  affliction  you  may  feel  the  hand  of  God  resting 
upon  you  in  love.  May  you  feel  that  though  He  has: 
afflicted  you,  yet  not  forsaken  you..  In  His  provi- 
dence He  has  ordered  it  so.  May  He  ever  bless 
you,  and  keep  you  faithful^  is  the  prayer,  daily,  of 
your  fond  daughter, 

“Agnes  Rebecca  Acornley.” 

February,  1873. 

Referring  to  the  difficulties  connected  with  the 
erection  of  several  churches  on  this  station — Wilkes- 
Barre  and  Pittston — and  also  to  the  continued  kind- 
ness of  her  numerous  friends,  in  a letter  to  her  sister 
she  says  : “ We  are  somewhat  short  of  our  salary,, 

but  if  we  succeed  in  building  and  getting  the  churches 
in  easy  circumstances,  I can  bear  the  loss  better, 
though  we  need  money  as  much  as  most  people. 
Our  members  are  pretty  kind.  I believe  we  have  the 

respect  of  all Do  you  still  like  your 

circuit } you  seem  to  be  making  yourself  useful.  I 
hope  you  will  still  try  to  live,  and  let  people  feel  and 
know  that  you  live.  We  are  accountable  beings,  and 
according  as  we  have  shall  it  be  required  again. 


O;',  the  Young  Pasto}'s  Wife.  8j 

May  the  Lord  bless  you,  my  dear,  is  the  prayer  of 
your  affectionate  sister.” 

Again,  to  her  father,-  she  writes  : “ We  have  much 
to  be  thankful  for.  I feel  thankful  to  the  people^ 
but  I feel  doubly  thankful  that  the  Lord  has  inclined 
their  hearts  toward  us ; I can  safely  say  we  have  not 
one  opponent  or  enemy  on  the  circuit.  We  try  to 
do  our  duty  as  becomes  the  gospel ; I think  if  there 
is  a man  on  the  face  of  the  earth  that  tries  to  act  con- 
sistent and  charitable,  working  the  doctrine  of  the 
gospel,  and  with  an  eye  single  to  God’s  glory,  it  is 
my  dear  husband,  I pray  that  the  God  of  Jacob' 
may  defend  and  uphold  him  ; strengthen  him  in  body 
for  the  work,  fire  his  heart,  and  give  him  seals  to  his 
ministry  and  souls  for  his  hire.” 

The  friends  were  ready  to  seize  every  opportunity 
of  showing  their  kindness,  hence  it  was  determined 
to  celebrate  our  “ Wooden  Wedding.”  To  those  who 
are  unacquainted  with  this  custom,  we  may  remark, 
that  it  is  usual  to  celebrate  weddings  in  this  manner, 
when  the  friends  of  the  parties  bring  presents  in  char- 
acter with  the  occasion.  For  instance,  at  a “ Wooden 
Wedding  ” the  guests  are  expected  to  bring  some  arti- 
cle of  that  material.  At  a “ Silver  Wedding  ” some- 
thing of  silver,  and  so  forth,  through  the  list  of  anni- 
versaries. We  may  also  observe  that  the  fifth  anni- 
versary is  “ Wooden,”  the  te7ith  is  “ Tin,”  the 
fifteenth  is  “ Crystal,”  the  twenty-fifth  is  “ Silver,” 
and  the  fiftieth  is  “ Golden.” 


S8  Sinnfnne  A77iong  the  Mou7iiai7is ; 

On  the  evening  of  the  fifth  anniversary  of  our 
marriage — December  17th,  1873,  a number  of  friends 
gathered  and  enjoyed  a cup  of  tea  together  at  the 
parsonage,  each  one  bringing  an  expression  of  their 
good-will  in  the  shape  of  a present  of  something  or 
other ; the  evening,  was  then  profitably  and  pleasantly 
spent  in  singing  and  conversation.  The  Pittsto73 
Gazette,  of  the  next  week,  contained  the  following 
reference  to  it ; — 

“ HYMENIAL. 

J'Vootte7i  Weddi7ig. — On  the  evening  of  the  17th, 
the  friends  of  the  Rev.  John  H.  and  Mrs.  Acornley, 
Primitive  Methodist  minister  at  Plains,  Pa.,  gathered 
at  the  parsonage  to  celebrate  their  ‘Wooden  Wed- 
ding.’ The  evening  was  very  pleasantly  spent  in 
ministering  to  the  necessities  of  the  ‘ inner  man,’  &c. 
Some  excellent  pieces  were  rendered  by  an  amateur 
choir.  Numerous  presents  of  useful  articles  were 
furnished  by  the  guests,  and  expressions  of  good  will 
indulged  in ; and  hopes  were  entertained  that 
the  reverend  gentleman  and  his  lady  might  be  spared 
many  years,  enjoy  a long  life  of  happiness  and  useful- 
ness here,  and  finally  spend  an  eternity  in  Heaven.” 

After  having  spent  two  years  on  this  station,  we 
were  removed  to  Morris  Run,  Tioga  County,  in  the 
northern  part  of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania.  But 
previous  to  our  removal  Dr.  Shive,  Sister  Moore  and 
Bro.  James  Hilburt  (a  young  man  of  great  promise, 
who,  while  rising  quickly  from  bed  a day  or  two  after- 


Or^  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife.  8g 

wards,  fell,  and  striking  his  neck  on  the  top  of  a 
broken  lamp  globe,  which  stood  on  a chair  by  his 
bed  side,  severed  his  jugular  vein,  the  blood  flowed 
profusely,  and  be  died  in  a few  minutes,)  were  the 
promoters  of  an  agreeable  surprise  in  the  shape  of  dry- 
goods,  groceries,  and  a small  sum  of  money.  Thus 
the  last  act  of  this  young  man  in  connection  with 
the  church  of  Christ  was  an  act  of  kindness  towards 
his  minister  and  family.  A number  of  ladies  in 
Pleasant  Valley,  got  together  and  made  a handsome 
quilt,  on  which  was  inscribed,  in  the  centre  of  each 
block,  the  names  of  the  donors,  and  sent  in  to  Mrs. 
Acornley  as  an  expression  of  their  respect  and  es- 
teem. This  she  carefully  treasured  as  long  as  she 
lived.  These  are  not  a tithe  of  the  kind  manifesta- 
tions of  affection  which  she  received ; and  the 
friends  she  made  while  on  this  station  lived  in  her  af- 
fections as  long  as  life  lasted. 

“ Friendship ! mysterious  cement  of  the  soul ! 

Sweefner  of  life,  and  solder  of  societj', 

I owe  thee  mvich  ! thou  hast  deserved  of  me 
Far,  far  beyond  what  I can  ever  pay.” 

John  L.  Sexton,  Jr.,  Esq.,  in  his  account  of  Morris 
Run,  says  : “ Morris  Run,  located  on  a mountain 
stream  bearing  the  same  name,  situated  four  miles 
east  of  Blossburg,  in  the  township  of  Hamilton,  in 
Tioga  County,  is  one  of  the  great  mining  towns  in 
the  semi-bituminous  coal-fields  of  northern  Pennsyl- 
vania. About  twenty-two  years  ago,  these  mines 


go 


Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains ; 


were  opened  by  the  Tioga  Improvement  Company.” 
Since  then  they  have  passed  through  various  hands, 
until  now  they  are  owned  and  worked  by  the  Morris 
Run  Coal  Mining  Company,  W.  S.  Nearing,  Esq., 
agent.  Improvements  have  continually  been  made, 
and  the  capacity  of  the  mines  increased,  so  that  now 
they  are  enabled  to  produce  2,500  tons  per  day.  The 
total  shipment  of  coal  for  the  year  ending  Jan.  ist, 
1874,  reached  the  vast  sum  of  357,384  tons.  This 
was  exclusive  of  their  home  and  other  sales.  About 
eight  hundred  men  are  employed;  of  these  450  are 
miners,  and  about  350  are  connected  with  other 
branches  of  the  work.  The  town  contains  about 
2,500  inhabitants,  who  dwell  in  356  houses.  There 
is  but  one  store,  which  is  .owned  by  the  company ; 
Major  Anderson  being  the  principal  agent.  There 
are  three  churches  in  Morris  Run,  viz.,  Welsh  Baptist, 
Welsh  Congregational,  and  Primitive  Methodist. 
These  are  neat  structures,  surmounted  by  tall  spires, 
intimating  to  a stranger  the  moment  he  enters  the 
town,  that  the  spiritual  welfare  of  the  inhabitants  is 
not  neglected. 

In  the  evening  of  the  day  we  arrived  on  our  new 
station  a number  of  friends  gathered  at  the  parsonage 
to  accord  us  a hearty  welcome.  Each  one  brought 
something  to  please  the  palate,  and  appease  the  crav- 
ings of  the  stomach.  The  tables  were  laden,  and 
every  one  seemed  to  enjoy  a social  cup  of  that  which 
“ cheers  but  not  inebriates.”  After  which  words  of 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  gi 

welcome  and  good  will  were  freely  indulged  in,  and 
hopes  expressed  that  the  newly  formed  associations 
might  have  God’s  blessing,  and  that  during  the' com- 
ing year  the  work  of  the  Lord  might  prosper,  sinners 
be  saved,  and  God’s  name  be  glorified. 

In  a short  time  after  her  arrival  in  Morris  Run,  Mrs. 
Acornley  was  seized  with  another  attack  of  sickness, 
this  time  accompanied  with  inflammation  in  the  eyes, 
rendering  her  almost  blind.  While  suffering  intense 
pain  one  day,  her  children  playing  around  until  they 
were  tired,  and  she  being  unable  to  attend  to  their 
wants,  the  little  one  became  uneasy  and  cross ; this 
made  her  feel  keenly  her  affliction,  and  calling  him 
to  her,  she  began  to  soothe  and  comfort  him ; at  the 
same  time  tears  coursing  down  her  face.  Her  eldest 
child — a little  over  four  years  old  at  this  time — ob- 
serving his  mother  weeping,  attempted  to  console  her, 
saying,  “ Don’t  cry  ma  ! don’t  cry  ! I try  and  find  out 
where  the  Lord  lives,  and  I go  and  fetch  him,  don’t 
cry  ma  ! He  ’ll  make  7nud  to  make  you  well.  If  He 
don’t  put  it  on  your  eyes,  I will,  don’t  cry  ma!  you  ^ 
be  better.”  And  placing  his  little  hand  on  her  face, 
the  dear  child,  thus  attempted  in  his  way  to  com- 
fort her,  nor  was  it  in  vain.  She  had  related  to  her 
child  the  story  of  Christ  healing  the  blind  man,  and 
now  that  lesson,  replete  with  force  and  beauty,  had 
returned  to  her  own  soul  rich  and  mellow  with  in- 
struction and  consolation.  A fresh  flood  of  tears 
burst  forth,  and  her  heart  welled  up  with  gratitude 


Q2  Sufis/iine  Among  the  Mountains  j 

and  love  to  her  heavenly  Father  who  had  thus  made 
her  child  the  means  of  comforting  her  soul.  Blessed 
be  God,  “ Out  of  the  mouth  of  babes  and  sucklings 
He  has  ordained  strength.”  The  loss  of  her  little 
one  was  a subject  which  still  occupied  her  mind  con- 
siderably. Writing  to  her  sister,  she  says,  “ It  is  two 
years  to-day  since  we  laid  our  dear  little  rose-bud 
down  to  sleep,  until  the  sound  of  the  trumpet.  What 
a very  pleasant  two  years  he  must  have  spent  up 
there  ! don’t  you  think  V'  referring  to  her  new  home 
and  friends,  she  says,  “ I do  not  like  this  part  of  the 
country  so  well  as  our  former  residence,  but  / like 
the  people^  I feel  I shall  be  real  happy  with  them.” 
Mrs.  Acornley  received  the  following  letter  from  a 
lady  belonging  to  the  M.  E.  Church,  but  who  had 
frequently  attended  our  church  at  Wilkes-Barre,  and 
for  whom  she  had  formed  a sincere  attachment. 

“Wilkes-Barre,  Oct.  14th,  1874. 

“ Mrs.  Acornley, 

“ Dear  sister  : 

“Your  kind  epistle  came  safely  to  hand.  I was 
sorry  to  hear  that  you  had  been  sick.  Mr.  Acornley 
not  well,  and  the  little  boy  ailing. 

“ I have  sincere  sympathy  for  a preacher’s  wife  go- 
ing to  a strange  place,  but  as  a mother  I can  enter 
into  her  feelings,  knowing  well  the  anxious  watchings 
over  the  little  ones — and  the  over  the  precious 

ones,  as  the  light  has  gone  out  of  the  bright  eyes  for- 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife. 


93 


ever,  and  the  active  little  limbs  grown  strangely  still. 
And  I know  too  what  it  is  to  go  to  a strange  place 
and  leave  the  little  7noimds  of  earth  so  dear  to  us  in 
the  far  away. 

“ I hope  by  this  time  that  you  are  much  better,  as 
well  as  your  husband  and  the  little  ones.  I hope 
also  that  you  may  find  in  your  new  home,  some  con- 
genial spirit  who  will  cheer  and  comfort  you  in  those 
hours  which  come  to  all,  when  the  hearty  counsel  of 
a kind  friend  is  grateful  and  helpful 

“ I was  at  your  church  last  Sunday  evening  for  the 
first  time  since  you  left,  there  was  a good  congrega- 
tion  

“My  kind  regards  to  your  husband,  and  I trust  you 
may  both  be  cheered  by  seeing  the  Master  s work 
prospering  under,  your  labors.  However  if  you  do 
not  see  the  results,  you  know  that  it  will  not  be  vam, 
but  the  rewards  are  sure. 

“ Remember  at  a throne  of  grace 

“Your  unworthy  sister, 

“ R.  G.  Mitchell.” 

The  friends  in  Morris  Run  were  exceedingly  kind ; 
and  sought  in  every  way  in  their  power  to  compen- 
sate for  the  dullness  of  times.  They  seemed  deter- 
mined that  hard  weather  and  dull  times  should  not 
interfere  with  the  comfort  of  their  minister  or  his 
family;  and  hence  “ Pound  Parties,”  “Peck  Parties,” 
and  pleasant  “ Surprises  ” in  many  ways,  visited  the 


94 


Sunshine  Among  the  Moimtains ; 


parsonage  on  various  occasions.  The  Blossburg 
Register  contained  the  following  paragraph  in  refer- 
ence to  one  of  them. 

Aforris  Run. — On  Wednesday  evening,  Dec.  9th, 
1874,  another  band  of  crusaders  started  out  in  Morris 
Run,  and  besieged  the  house  of  Rev.  John  H.  Acornley 
(Primitive  Methodist  Minister).  The  inmates  were 
surprised,  and  consequently  soon  brought  to  surrender. 
The  besiegers  took  possession  of  the  premises,  when 
it  was  discovered  that  each  of  the  attacking  party  was 
armed  with  bags  of  potatoes,  beets,  apples,  onions, 
and  other  rveapons  too  numerous  to  mention.  Hav- 
ing gained  admission,  the  crusaders  laid  down  their 
weapons,  hostilities  ceased,  their  arms  were  stacked, 
and  peace  and  good  will  were  soon  manifest  between 
the  late  apparent  belligerents. 

“ Mr.  Acornley  and  his  wife  were  at  a loss  to  give 
expression  to  their  feelings  at  this  manifestation  of 
affection  ; their  prayer,  however,  is  that  God  may  bless 
every  one  of  the  ‘ Peck  Party  ’ who  came  to  see  them 
on  Wednesday  evening  of  last  week.” 

Her  intercourse  with  those  who  were  not  members 
of  the  church  was  of  an  affectionate  and  Christian 
character;  and  in  order  further  to  illustrate  the  af- 
fection and  esteem  in  which  she  was  held  by  both 
members  of  the  church  and  congregation,  we  give  the 
following  incident : One  evening,  not  being  very 

well,  she  thought  not  to  go  to  the  Monday  evening 
prayer-meeting,  which  was  usually  held  at  the  house 


(9r,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  gs 

of  some  member  or  friend.  On  this  occasion,  how- 
ever, when  it  was  found  that  she  did  not  purpose  to 
come,  several  of  the  ladies  started  out  to  the  parson- 
age ; told  her  she  must  come,  as  they  wanted  to  see 
her  there.  She  came,  wondering  what  made  them  so 
anxious.  The  meeting  was  indeed  a blessed  season. 
At  its  close,  one  of  the  brethren,  W.  C.  Jenkins,  rose 
to  his  feet  and  remarked  that  “godliness  was  profita- 
ble unto  all  things,  having  the  promise  of  the  life  that 
now  is,  as  well  as  of  that  which  is  to  come  ; that  those 
who  live  to  God,  and  trust  in  him,  shall  be  blessed 
with  things  temporal,  as  well  as  things  spiritual,  he 
was  glad  to  see  that  they  were  unlike  some  societies 
who  were  always  finding  fault,  and  complaining  about 
their  minister’s  wife.  Some  minister’s  wives,  he  re- 
maned, if  they  happened  to  have  a little  taste  in 
dress,  if  they  could  trim  up  an  old  bonnet  or  hat,  in 
order  to  make  it  last  another  season  ; or  if  they  could 
turn  an  old  cloak,  to  save  purchasing  a new  one  out 
of  their  scanty  income,  were  sure  to  be  accused  of 
being  proud  and  arrogant,  above  their  station,  or 
something  of  that  sort.  But  he  was  pleased  to  find 
that  it  was  not  so  in  Morris  Run ; but  so  far  from' 
that,  their  minister’s  wife  Avas  loved  and  appreciated 
by  the  sisters  in  the  church,  and  also  by  the  ladies  of 
the  congregation.  In  proof  of  which,  he  had  great 
pleasure  in  presenting  to  Mrs.  Acornley,  in  the  name 
and  in  behalf  of  the  ladies,  a small  token  of  their  re- 
spect and  esteem.”  He  then  proceeded  to  present 


p(5  Sunshine  Among  the  Aloiintains  ; 

Mrs.  Acornley  with  a tea-pot ; half  dozen  tea  spoons  ; 
and  a beautiful  quilt,  the  work  of  the  ladies'  own  hands. 
She  was  so  overcome  with  the  surprise  that  she 
could  not  give  full  expression  to  her  feelings.  How- 
ever, she  returned  thanks,  as  best  she  could,  to  the 
ladies  and  friends,  for  their  great  kindness,  and 
prayed  that  God  would  bless  the  labors  of  her  dear 
husband,  and  herself  among  them  ; and,  finally,  that 
all  might  find  their  way  to  the  better  land.  It  would 
be  impossible  to  enumerate  all  the  manifestations  of 
affection  which  she  received  from  the  friends  of 
Morris  Run ; we  may,  however,  say,  that  Mr.  W.  S. 
Nearing,  the  company’s  agent,  was  especially  kind. 

While  I was  attending  the  Annual  Conference  at 
Shenandoah  City,  she  wrote  as  follows : 

“ Morris  Run,  Tioga  County,  Pa. 

“ April  nth,  1875. 

“ My  dear  John  : 

“ Last  night  I received  two  letters  from  you,  and 
was  glad.  Several  of  the  brethren  were  here  as  soon 
as  the  mail,  to  know  the  news.  There  is  quite  a talk 
for  fear  you  are  removed.  I have  been  real  sick  all 
week.  I have  not  been  to  church  to-day.  Bro. 
Cook  preached  last  Sabbath  night,  he  had  ‘ Strait  is 
the  gate,  &c.’  He  said  the  gate  was  so  strait  that  it 
would  not  admit  a ball  room  dress,  nor  a bottle  of 
whiskey. 

“ Bro.  Young  preached  in  the  morning,  and  the 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  gj 

sermon  was  certainly  a draught  from  Horeb,  I went 
to  school  in  the  afternoon.  To-day  I am  missing  all, 

my  side  is  bad,  and  headache  intense 

I shall  not  expect  you  back  this  week,  only  keep  me 
posted  each  day.  I think  they  will  manage  at  church. 
They  are  all  anxious  that  you  come  back  well.  With 
love,  and  a_wife’s  true  affection,  I am  still, 

“ Ever  yours, 

“ Agnes  Rebecca  Acornley.” 

This,  as  far  as  we  are  aware,  was  the  last  letter  she 
ever  wrote.  To  her  husband  she  was  a help-meet  in- 
deed,  and  in  the  performance  of  his  ministerial  duties 
was  a great  comfort  and  a constant  help.  Her 
morality  was  of  the  purest  kind.  Her  temperance  , 
principles  and  practice  were  very  strict.  As  a daugh- 
ter she  was  tender  and  respectful.  As  a wife  she  was 
exemplary  and  loving.  As  a mother  she  was  affec- 
tionate and  kind.  As  a friend  she  was  faithful  and 
true.  As  a Christian  she  was  consistent  and  earnest,  \ 
Her  religion  was  of  a practical  character,  and  shone 
most  brilliantly  in  her  own  home.  She  was  anxious 
to  be  a worker  for  Jesus,  was  much  interested  in  the 
Sabbath  school,  and  delighted  in  religious  exercises, 
such  as  singing  and  prayer.  One  of  the  hymns  she 
was  particularly  fond  of  was  the  following  : — 

“No  mortal  eye  that  land  hath  seen. 

Beyond,  beyond  death’s  river ; 

Its  smiling-  valleys,  hiUs  so  green. 

Beyond,  beyond  the  river. 


Suns /line  Amoiur  the  Mountains 


9S 


Ite  shores  arc  rlrawing  nearer, 

Tts  skies  are  growing-  clearer, 

Eacli  day  it  seeiheth  nearer. 

That  land  beyond  the  river. 

Chorus,— We'U  stand  the  stori®v 
We’ll  stand  the  storm, 

Its  rage  is  almost  over; 

We'll  anchor  in  the  harbor  soon. 
In  the  land  beyond  the  river. 

No  cankering  care,  no  )iiortal  strife, 

Beyond,  beyond  the  river ; 

But  hapjiy,  never-ending  life. 

Beyond,  beyond  the  river. 

Through  the  eternal  hours, 

God's  love  in  lieavenl,\-  showers, 

Shall  water  faith’s  fair  flowers, 

In  the-  land  beyond  the  rivei'. 

Chorus.— We’U  stand,  &c. 

Tliat  glorious  day  will  ne’ei-  be  done, 

Beyond,  beyond  the  river ; 

When  we’ve  the  crown  and  kingdom  won, 

Ijej'ond,  beyond  the  river. 

There  is  etei-nal  pleasure. 

And  ioys  that  none  can  measure, 

For  those  who  have  their  treasure, 

In  the  land  beyond  the  river. 

Chorus.— We’ll  stand,  &c. 

When  shall  we  stand  on  Zion’s  hill  ? 

Beyond,  beyond  the  river ; 

Where  endless  bliss  our  heaids  shall  fill. 

Beyond,  beyond  the  river. 

There  angels  bright  are  singing. 

And  golden  haiirs  are  ringing. 

We  ne’er  shall  cease  our  singing, 

In  the  land  beyond  the  river. 

Chorus.— We’ll  stand,  &c.” 


Another  which  she  sung  often  during  the  last  few 


Or^  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  pp 

months  of  her  earthly  pilgrimage  was  the  consecra- 
tion hymn. 


■“  My  body,  soul  aad  spirit, 

Jesus,  I g-ive  to  thee, 

A consecrated  ottering, 

Thine  evermore  to  be. 

Chorus.— My  all  is  on  the  altar. 

I’m  waiting-  for  the  fli-e, 

0 Jesus,  mighty  Saviour, 

I trust  in  thy  great  name, 

1 look  for  thy  salvation. 

Thy  promise  now  I claim. 

My  all  is  on  the  altar,  &c> 

O let  the  fire  descending. 

Just  now  upon  my  soul. 

Consume  my  humble  olfering. 

And  cleanse  and  make  me  whole. 

My  all  is  on  the  altar,  &c. 

I’m  thine,  O blessed  Jesus, 

Washed  by  thy  precious  blood, 

Ifow  seal  me  by  Thy  Spirit, 

A sacriflce  to  God. 

My  all  is  on  the  altar,  &o,” 


JOO 


Sunshine  Among  the  Moutitains  / 


CHAPTER  VI. 

SICKNESS  AND  DEATH. 

Happy  the  spirit  released  from  its  clay  ; 

Happy  the  soul  that  g-oes  bounding  away. 

Singing,  as  upward  it  hastes  to  the  skies, 

Victory!  Victory!  homeward  I rise. 

Many  the  toils  it  has  passed  through  below. 

Many  the  seasons  of  trial  and  woe ; 

Many  the  doubtings  it  never  should  sing, 

Victory!  Victory!  thus  on  the  whig.” 

For  several  weeks  previous  to  our  Fourth  of  July 
celebration  Mrs.  Acornley  had  been  so  unwell  that 
she  was  unable  to  leave  the  house.  But  so  great 
was  her  anxiety  to  see  the  children,  that  with  the  as- 
sistance of  several  friends  she  reached  the  pic-nic 
grounds,  remained  there  during  the  day,  and  ap- 
peared to  enjoy  herself  immensely.  On  the  9th  of 
July  she  was  safely  delivered  of  a fine  male  child. 
For  several  weeks  she  progressed  very  favorably  and 
gathered  strength.  On  Sunday,  August  23d,  she 
attended  church  in  the  evening  and  offered  her  child 
to  God  in  the  holy  ordinance  of  baptism ; Rev.  F. 
T.  Evans,  Welsh  Congregational  minister,  officiating. 

On  Tuesday,  the  24th,  she  attended  the  funeral 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife. 


101 


service  of  our  own  next  door  neighbor’s  baby — Mr. 
Thos.  Davis — in  their  own  house  ; after  which  she 
went  to  visit  the  family  of  Mr.  W.  R.  Gilmour,  re- 
turning home  in  the  evening.  This  was  the  last  time 
she  was  out  of  doors.  The  next  day  she  was  very 
sick,  which  resulted  in  a severe  attack  of  inflamma- 
tion. The  friends  were  very  kind,  and  doctors  very 
attentive.  She,  however,  grew  gradually  worse.  To 
her  husband,  who  had  just  returned  from  his  ap- 
pointment at  Arnot,  on  Sunday  evening,  August  29, 
she  said  ; “ O my  dear,  I feel  assured  I shall  never 
recover,  but  this  has  been  a blessed  day  to  my  soul.” 
And  then  she  went  on  to  relate  what  sweet  seasons  of 
communion  with  God  she  had  enjoyed  during  the 
day.  This  was  the  last  conversation  we  had  with  her 
of  any  length.  She  suffered  greatly  during  her  afflic- 
tion; her  reason  at  times  forsook  her ; and  she  was 
deprived  of  the  power  of  speech,  so  that  to  hold  in- 
telligent conversation  with  her  was  almost  an  impos- 
sibility. It  was  sometimes  really  distressing  to  wit- 
ness her  struggle  to  say  something;  and  it  was  with 
great  difficulty  that  her  attendants  caught  a word,  or 
a disconnected  sentence. 

Gentle  sufferer  raise  thine  eye 
To  thy  home  heyoiid  the  sky ; 

Though  thy  earthly  way  be  clouded, 

In  the  mist  of  sorrow  shrouded. 

Yet  there  is  rest  for  thee. 

Perfect,  pure  felicity. 

In  yon  Heaven  of  joy  and  love, 

There  shall  be  no  pain  above 


102 


Sunshine  Among  the  Mountaitis ; 


The  clay  following  she  appeared  to  be  much  bet- 
ter, and  the  doctor  again  had  hopes  of  her  ultimate 
recovery ; she  called,  however,  for  her  sister  ; a tele- 
gram was  sent  for  her  at  once  ; she  then  called  for 
her  fatlier.  Both  of  them  finally  arrived  and  minis- 
tered incessantly  to  her  needs,  until  she  took  her 
flight  from  this  transitory  scene. 

Her  husband  being  taken  sick  about  the  same  time 
as  herself,  the  children  were  taken  away,  and  kindly 
cared  for  by  friends;  consequently  the  house  wore  a 
gloomy  aspect.  She  was  often  seized  with  spas- 
modic convulsions,  which  violently  worked  her  arms, 
and  sometimes  her  head.  Then  her  body  would  be 
so  perfectly  rigid  that  it  was  impossible  to  place  her 
in  an  upright  position.  Many  hours  of  anxious 
watching  and  attention  followed.  The  house  was 
seldom  free  from  visitors  anxious  to  know  how  she 
was,  or  to  render  assistance  if  required.  A corres- 
pondent of  the  Blossburg  Register  wrote  at  this  time, 
“ Rev.  J.  H.  Acornley,  pastor  of  the  P.  M.  Church 
of  Morris  Run,  has  been  quite  ill,  but  is  recov- 
ering. Mrs.  Acornley,  his  wife,  is  dangerously  sick, 
and  but  little  if  any  hope  is  entertained  of  her  re- 
covery. Much  sympathy  is  felt  for  the  family,  and 
many  prayers  are  ascending  daily  in  their  behalf” 

When  her  sister  arrived  she  recognized  her  and 
expressed  herself  glad,  as  she  never  expected  to  see 
her  again.  A day  or  two  afterwards  her  father — 
Mr.  Whillock — knelt  down  by  the  side  of  her  bed, 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  lOJ 

and  poured  out  his  soul  to  God  in  prayer  on  her 
behalf.  While  he  was  thus  occupied,  she  looked  at 
him  as  though  unconscious  of  what  he  was  engaged 
in ; then  brightening  up  she  said,  “ Praise  the  Lord  ! ” 
when  he  finished  she  responded  “Amen.” 

About  eleven  days  before  she  died,  as  her  sister 
was  about  to  retire,  she  kissed  her  and  said,  “ Pray 
for  me,”  to  which  Fanny  responded,  “ yes,  I will  pray 
for  you,”  when  she  said  again,  “ yes,  pray  for  me,  and 
be  a good  girl.”  This  was  the  last  time  she  appeared 
conscious  of  Fanny’s  presence.  The  day  following 
she  seemed  to  have  a presentiment  of  her  approaching 
dissolution,  for  after  having  her  frail  suffering  frame 
gently  attended  to,  she  turned  to  the  wall,  and  her 
attendants  heard  her  feebly  whisper,  “ Ten  more  days 
rolled  up  in  these  clothes,  and  then  they  will  be  taken 
away.”  On  Sunday,  September  12th,  she  fixed  her  . 
eyes  steadfastly  above  and  said,  “yes!  Ebenezer,” 
as  though  speaking  to  her  lost  baby.  Then  after  a ' 
pause  she  tried  to  sing  “ Jesus  lover  of  my  soul,”  &c. 
but  could  not.  She  appeared  almost  choked  with 
suffering.  Her  mouth  and  throat  were  in  a sad  con- 
dition. Her  mind  wandered,  and  she  appeared  to 
be  talking  incoherently  to  herself  and  to  her  dear 
little  children  who  were  so  soon  to  be  left  motherless. 

It  appeared  hard  for  her  to  utter  anything,  and  her 
speech  was  very  difficult  to  understand.  On  the 
eveningof  Friday,  the  loth,  consciousness  had  seemed 
to  forsake  her,  and  from  that  time  she  took  but  little 


J04  Su7islnne  Atnong  the  Mountains ; 

notice  of  anything  or  anybody  around  her.  On  the 
15th,  however,  consciousness  returned  for  a few 
minutes,  and  she  struggled  to  say  something,  but  not 
one  word  could  be  understood.  Her  sight  was  af- 
fected during  the  last  few  days,  and  in  one  of  these 
brief  intervals  of  consciousness  she  was  asked  if  she 
knew  one  of  the  ladies  who  were  standing  in  the 
room  ; she  failed  to  recognize  her,  and  shook  her 
head — speech  being  entirely  gone — intimating  that 
the  person  was  unknown  to  her;  when  told  who  it 
was  she  wept  at  the  thought  of  not  being  able  to  re- 
cognize her  friends.  Had  she  been  able  to  speak, 
she  would  doubtless  have  consoled  herself  and  friends 
with  the  thought  that  in  heaven 

“ We  shall  know  each  other.” 

A few  days  before  she  died,  while  several  ladies 
were  tenderly  raising  her,  her  body  being  quite  rigid, 
she  evidently  thought  they  imagined  her  gone,  for 
with  a mighty  effort  she  called  out  quite  loud  and 
distinctly,  as  they  took  hold  of  her,  “ I’m  not  dead 
yet!  I’m  not  dead  yet  I”  She  lingered  a few  days 
more,  suffering  intensely — mortification  had  set  in — 
and,  notwithstanding  all  the  efforts  of  friends,  physi- 
cians and  family,  she  passed  away  on  the  morning  of 
the  2ist  September,  1875,  in  the  28th  year  of  her  age. 

“ We  stand  heside  the  Christianas  dying  bed, 

And  watch  the  life  stream  ebbing-  fast  aivay ; 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife. 


105 


There  is  no  terror  there,  we  would  not  stay 
The  struggling-  spirit  in  its  heavenward  track  ; 

Nor  its  bright  view  of  endless  bliss  delay, 

Or  to  earth’s  son-ows  call  the  ransomed  back.” 

We  have  the  full  assurance  that  she  has  gone  to 
be  with  Jesus.  We  derive  this  blessed  confidence, 
not  only  from  the  whispered  words  which  with  diffi- 
culty we  heard  before  her  death,  but  from  assurances 
given  at  the  commencement  of  her  affliction ; and 
better  still  from  the  whole  tenor  of  her  deportment 
during  the  seven  years  of  our  married  life.  During 
those  years  we  traveled  the  path  of  life  together,. and 
through  trials  and  sorrows,  afflictions  and  bereave- 
ments, her  conduct  was  always  such  as  becometh  the 
gospel  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ. 

“ O,  but  death  is  bliss ! 

I feel  as  certain  looking  on  the  face 
Of  a dead  sister,  smiling  from  her  shroud. 

That  our  sweet  angel  hath  but  changed  her  place. 

And  passed  to  peace,  as  when,  amid  the  crowd 
Of  the  mad  city,  I feel  sure  of  rest 
Beyond  the  hills— a few  hours  fux’ther  west.” 

T.  W.  I^arsons. 

Our  loss  is  indeed  great,  and  our  sorrow  extreme, 
but  though  a great  loss  to  her  family  and  friends,  it 
is  an  incomparable  gain  to  her.  Though  we  have 
lost  otu  companion,  and  sharer  of  our  joys  and  sor- 
rows, she  has  gained  companionship  with  the  glori- 
fied in  heaven,  and  will  continue  to  share  in  the 
delights  of  the  redeemed  for  ever  and  ever.  Though 
her  three  dear  little  children  have  lost  a kind  and 


lo6  Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 

affectionate  mother,  and  a wide  gap  has  been  left  in 
our  family  circle,  she  has  gone  to  swell  the  blessed 
family  circle  of  heaven,  and  has  gained  a home  in 
the  beautiful  mansions  of  her  beneficent  Father  in 
glory. 

May  we  be  enabled  to  take  our  bleeding,  broken 
hearts  to  Jesus,  and  pour  out  our  whole  souls  to 
Him,  for  He,  and  He  alone,  knows  how  to  succor 
and  support  his  afflicted  children  in  every  time  of 
need.  “Lo!”  says  He,  “I  am  with  you  alway,  even 
to  the  end  of  the  world.”  “ AVhen  thou  passest 
through  the  waters  I will  be  with  thee,  and  through 
the  rivers  they  shall  not  overflow  thee ; when  thou 
walkest  through  the  fire  thou  shalt  not  be  burned, 
neither  shall  the  flame  kindle  upon  thee.” 

“ Oh  I shall  we  weep,  as  one  by  one,  the  dear,  the  besfc-beloved 
g-o, 

And  we  are  left  alone  and  sad,  to  miss  and  mourn  them  here 
below  ? 

Nay,  they  are  safe,  though  we  have  pain,  and  we  shall  meet 
them  soon  again.” 


Not  knowing  of  her  death,  her  husband’s  brother 
William  wrote  as  follows  ; 

September  27th,  1875. 

“ My  dear  brother, 

“ Mother  has  to-day  received  your  second  letter  in 
reference  to  your  own  and  Agnes’s  illness.  We 
are  all  deeply  sorry  to  hear  that  you  are  situated 
thus. 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife. 


lO’g 


“A  fortnight  has  elapsed  since  we  received  the  first 
letter,  and  it  has  been  a time  of  great  trouble  and 
suspense  to  us.  A fortnight  has  passed  since  you 
wrote  your  second,  and  I do  hope  most  sincerely 
that  by  this  time  Agnes  will  be  somewhat  recovered  ; 
but  as  you  say,  however  well  she  gets  on,  she  Avill  be 
a long  time  before  she  can  attend  to  her  household 
duties.  We  shall  not  forget  to  remember  you  at  the 
throne  of  Divine  grace,  and  to  pray  that  God’s  bless- 
ing, ‘which  maketh  rich  and  addeth  no  sorrow,’  may 
rest  upon  you  ; and  that  this  affliction  may  be  sancti- 
fied to  your  good,  and  to  our  good  as  well. 

“ It  greatly  rejoices  our  hearts  to  know  that  you  can 
claim  the  promises  of  God,  and  that  you  experience 
the  blessedness  of  a simple  trust  in  Him.  Continue 
to  look  up,  my  dear  brother;  think  much  upon  the 
‘ exceeding  great  and  precious  promises  ’ contained 
in  God’s  Word,  and  depend  upon  it  that  that  word 
is  true ; although  affliction  and  sorrow  are  things  we 
do  not  like,  yet  these  are  among  the  ‘ all  things  ’ 
‘ that  work  together  for  good  to  them  that  love  God.’ 
‘ No  chastening  for  the  present  is  joyous,  but  griev- 
ous, but  afterward  it  yieldeth  the  peaceable  fruit  of 
righteousness  to  them  that  are  exercised  thereby.’ 
‘ The  eternal  God  is  thy  refuge,  and  underneath  are 
the  everlasting  arms.’  This  last  was  my  text  at 
Stubley  last  night,  and  is  a passage  which  has  many 
a time  been  a great  comfort  to  me. 

“ Mother  wishes  to  know  what  you  think  about  her 


loS  SimsJiine  Among  t/ie  Afountams  ; 

coming  to  you  ; she  could  ill  be  spared  here,  that  is 
certain.  She  wishes  to  have  your  advice  on  the 
matter,  &c.  I know  very  well  that  you  would  only 
be  too  glad  to  have  her  come.  But  you  are  there, 
and  know  more  about  the  country  than  we  do  ; would 
it  be  advisable  Hoping  that  matters  have  by  this 
time  taken  a turn  for  the  better,  and  that  we  shall 
very  soon  hear  from  you  again, 

“ I remain, 

“Your  ever  affectionate  brother, 

“ W.  H.  Acornley.” 

Before  this  letter  was  written  Mrs.  Acornley  was 
gone  to  realms  of  light  and  glory  ; and  her  happy 
spirit  was  basking  in  the  sunlight  of  her  Redeemer’s 
presence. 

“ Beyond  life’s  toils  and  cares, 

Its  hopes  and  joys,  its  weariness  and  sorrow. 

Its  sleepless  nig-hts,  its  days  of  smiles  and  tears,” 

(In  the)  “bright  unending  morrow.” 

The  funeral  took  place  on  the  23d  of  September, 
1875.  Such  was  the  esteem  in  which  she  was  held 
that  nearly  every  person  in  the  town  attended  and 
followed  her  remains  to  their  last  resting  place,  thus 
evincing  their  respect  for  the  deceased,  and  their 
sympathy  for  those  who  had  been  bereaved.  In 
order  to  give  every  one  an  opportunity  of  attending 
the  funeral ; also,  as  a mark  of  respect  and  sympathy, 
Mr.  W.  S.  Nearing,  the  company’s  agent,  kindly 
stopped  all  the  works  that  afternoon.  The  Railroad 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife.  log 

company  generously  furnished  extra  cars  to  convey 
the  mournful  cortege  to  the  place  of  interment.  The 
“ Good  Templars  ” organization — of  which  she  was 
a member — attended  in  full  regalia.  The  sisters  of 
this  order,  as  w'ell  as  those  connected  with  the  I.  O. 
of  O.  F.,  manifested  great  attention  during  all  the 
time  of  her  affliction. 

Knowing  her  love  for  flowers,  a large  and  beautiful 
wreath  of  the  choicest  kind  was  made  by  one  of  the 
friends,  and  placed  upon  the  casket  as  it  was  being 
borne  by  six  of  the  brethren. 

“ How  much  of  memoiT  dwells  amidst  thy  bloom, 

Rose ! ever  wearing-  beauty  for  thy  dower? 

The  bridal  day,  the  fe.stival,  the  tomb, 

Thou  hast  thy  part  In  each,  thou  stateliest  flower! 
Therefore,  with  thy  soft  breath  come  floating-  by 
A thousand  images  of  love  and  grief. 

Dreams,  tilled  mth  tokens  of  mortality. 

Deep  thought  of  all  things  beautiful  and  brief.” 

Mrs.  Ilemans. 

This  beautiful  memento  of  affection  was  placed  ujion 
the  grave,  where,  for  months,  it  remained  after  it  had 
withered,  a sad  “token  of  mortality,”  reminding  the 
passer-by  that 

“ The  brightest  day  sinks  into  niglit, 

The  fairest  bud  is  touched  with  blight, 

There  is  no  rest  in  thing-s  of  sight— 

Oh,  no ! not  here.” 

The  funeral  service  was  conducted  by  the  Rev.  D. 
Savage,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  C.  Jones,  (Welsh  Bap- 
tist.) The  church  was  crowded  with  an  attentive 


no  Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 

and  sympathetic  audience.  Her  mortal  remains 
were  interred  in  the  Blossburg  burial  ground. 

“ The  grass  grows  green  upon  the  yielding  sod, 

In  this  calm  spot  by  careless  steps  untrod ; 

And  tears  are  flowing-  o’er  thy  lowly  tomb, 

And  sorrow’s  eye  in  vain  would  pierce  the  gloom.” 

Here 

' “ Sleeps  the  precious  dust,  whose  earnest  faith 
And  humble  love  are  registered  on  high.” 

“ It  is  a lowly  tomb.  No  marble  there 
Or  sculptor’s  art  doth  blazon  forth  high  birth, 

Or  deeds  of  proud  renown.” 


“ ’Tis  not  on  marble,  nor  on  the  gilded  page 
To  print  thy  worth — thy  charity  display ! 
For  chronicles  like  these  may  in  an  age 
Be  lost,  and  in  oblivion  pass  away.” 


Howcroft. 


Or^  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife. 


Ill 


CHAPTER  VII. 

REMEMBRANCE  AND  CONDOLENCE. 

“ But  who  amongst  us  can  at  first  God's  purposes  divine  ? . 

‘ (She)  being  dead  yet  speaketh,’  and  (her)  memory  to  this  day  j 
Is  living,  though  (her)  quiet  grave  lies  many  a mile  away.”  I 

Let  the  reader,  at  his  or  her  leasure,  read  the  wise 
man’s  incomparable  description  of  a virtuous  woman, 
for,  says  he,  “ Her  price  is  far  above  rubies.”  “ Favor 
is  deceitful  and  beauty  is  vain;  but  a woman  that 
feareth  the  Lord  shall  be  praised.  Give  her  of  the 
fruit  of  her  hands  ; and  let  her  own  works  praise  her 
in  the  gates.” — Prov.  xxxi.,  10-31. 

Many  expressions  of  condolence  and  encourage- 
ment, both  verbal  and  written,  were  received  by  her 
bereaved  husband,  which  were  a great  help  to  him ; 
feeling  as  he  did,  that  he  was  not  without  the  sym- 
pathy of  his  brethren  in  the  ministry  as  well  as  that  of 
his  family  and  more  immediate  friends  ; and  he  was 
brought  to  sweetly  realize  with  Mrs.  Hemans  that 

“ The  gloomiest  day  hath  gleams  of  light. 

The  darkest  wave  hath  bright  foam  near  i 
And  twinkles  through  the  darkest  night 
Some  solitary  star  to  cheer  it. 


II2 


Sunshine  A mong  the  Jlf  oiintains  ; 


The  gloomiest  soul  is  not  all  gloom, 

The  saddest  heart  is  not  all  sadness; 

And  sweetly  o’er  the  darkest  doom 
There  shines  some  lingering  gleam  of  gladness. 

Despair  is  never  quite  despair, 

Nor  life  nor  death  the  future  closes ; 

And  round  the  shadowy  brow  of  care 
Will  hope  and  fancy  twine  their  roses." 

And  as  he  thought  of  the  watchful  providence  of 
his  beneficent  Father  in  heaven,  he  looked  up  and 
tremblingly  said  ; 

“ Father,  take  my  hand, 

And  reaching  down,  lead  to  the  crown 
Thy  child.” 

And  the  answer  sweetly  came  ; 

“ The  way  is  dark,  my  child ; but  leads  to  light ; 

I would  not  have  thee  always  walk  by  sight. 

My  dealings  now  thou  oan’st  not  understand  ; 

I meant  it  so  ; but  I will  take  thy  hand. 

And  through  the  gloom,  lead  safely  home 
My  child.” 

Then  was  he  brought  fully  to  realize  that  his 
heavenly  Father 

“ ‘ Himself  hath  done  it.’  Yes,  although  severe 
May  seem  the  stroke,  and  bitter  be  the  cup, 

’Tis  His  own  hand  that  holds  it,  and  I know 
He’ll  give  me  grace  to  drink  it  meekly  up.” 

The  Rev.  D.  Savage,  the  day  previous  to  Mrs. 
Acornley’s  death  wrote  as  follows  : 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  I/J 

“Tamaqua,  September  20th. 

“ Dear  brother : 

“Yours  to  hand ; how  deeply  do  I feel  for  you, 

* Hope  thou  in  God,  for  thou  shalt  yet  praise  him.’  I 
do  hope  sister  Acornley  is  better;  I lift  my  heart  to 
God  on  your  behalf,  and  pray,  for  your  sake  and  the 
dear  children’s,  that  she  may  be  spared,  if  consistent 
with  the  will  of  God.  If  it  is  otherwise,  anything  I 
can  do  I will.  Look  up  brother;  behind  a frowning 
providence  God  hides  a smiling  face.  Tell  sister  A. 
from  me — keep  hold  of  the  cross,  trusting  in  the 
blood  ; Victory  is  certain  ! Land  is  ahead  ! The 
crown  is  shining!  Jesus  is  waiting  ! His  grace  is  cer- 
tain victory!  We  will  meet  on  the  banks!  and  never  j 
say  farewell. 

“ With  love,  yours  in  haste, 

“ D.  Savage.” 

On  the  day  of  the  funeral  the  Rev.  F.  T.  Evans — 
Welsh  Congregational  minister — being  unable  to  at- 
tend, wrote  as  follows : 

“ Blossburg,  Tioga  Co.,  Pa. 

“ Sept.  23d,  1875. 

“Mr.  Acornley, 

“ Dear  brother : 

“ Please  ask  brother  Savage — if  you  deem  it  proper 
— to  make  known  the  reason  of  my  absence  from 
the  funeral  of  your  dear  and  beloved  wife,  and  my 


114 


Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 


sister,  Mrs.  Acornley.  I should  like  for  him  to  do  so 
for  my  sake  as  well  as  for  the  public  at  large.  . . . ^ , 
My  brother,  I feel  very  s-orry  I could  not  be 
present.  Trust  to  God  whom  you  faithfully  serve, 
‘ Cast  thy  burden  upon  the  Lord,  he  shall  sustain 
thee.’  He  shall  never  suffer  the  righteous  to  be 
moved.  My  brother,  take  comfort  in  the  Lord  in 

your  bereavement 

“ Your  sincere  brother, 

“F.  T.  Evans.” 

In  an  obituary  sketch,  which  was  published  in 
Oui-  Messe?iger,  for  January,  1876,  the  Rev.  I), 
Savage  says:  “Bro.  Acornley,  in  the  year  1871,  was 
called  by  our  conference  to  the  work  of  the  ministry. 
The  sacrifices  he  had  to  make  were  cheerfully  borne 
by  his  companion.  The  burdens  he  has  had  to  bear, 
peculiar  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  were  made 
lighter  by  her  sympathy.  The  genuineness  of  her 
piety,  and  the  deep  love  she  had  for  the  cause,  the 
members  and  friends  of  her  husband’s  charges  can 
bear  testimony  to.  Her  strong  temperance  principles 
Avill  be  understood,  when  it  is  remembered  she  was  a 
faithful  and  earnest  Good  Templar.” 

At  a regular  meeting  of  Morris  Run  Lodge  of  Good 
Templars,  No.  740,  the  following  preamble  and  reso- 
lutions were  adopted  ; 

Whereas,  It  has  pleased  our  heavenly  Father  to 
remove  by  death  our  beloved  sister  Agnes  Rebecca 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wije.  iij 

Acornley,  thus  severing  the  fraternal  ties  that  so 
pleasantly  existed  in  the  past,  and 

WJi£reas^  We  regret  with  sadness  her  departure  to 
that  bourne  from  whence  no  traveler  returns,  be  it 
therefore 

Resolved : First,  That  while  we  recognize  with 

reverence  the  will  of  our  heavenly  Father,  we  are 
filled  with  sorrow  at  the  loss  we  have  sustained,  in 
one  who  by  her  generous,  kind  and  genial  dis* 
position,  won  our  love  and  highest  respect,  and  who 
as  a Good  Templar,  was  ever  found  ready  and  will- 
ing to  do  her  duty.  iVnd  be  it  furthermore 

Resolved : Second,  'I'hat  our  charter  be  draped, 

and  that  the  members''wear  a badge  of  mourning  for 
thirty  days ; and  that  these  resolutions  be  printed  in 
xht  Blosslnirg  Register,  and  a copy  of  the  same  be 
presented,  with  sympathy  of  the  lodge,  to  our  beloved 
brother  and  husband  of  the  deceased. 


Upon  the  pallid  niiirble  brow. 

The  auburn  tresses  lie, 

Her  dark  blue  eyes  are  closed  for  aj  c, 

Beneath  the  autumn  sky. 

The  firm  brave  lips  will  speak  no  more, 

The  words  of  truth  and  love, 

For  hushed  in  joy,  the  spirit  flies, 

To  rest  in  realms  above.” 

J.  O.  Chapman,  J.  Bennett,  L.  D., 

N.  M.  Loper,  Fanny  J.  AVilson, 

W . S.  Fe.xturd,  Conimitcce. 


li6  Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains  ; 

Morris  Rim,  Oct.  ist,  1875. 
The  Rev.  Henry  Wheeler— uncle  of  Mrs.  Acornley 
— who  is  now  superannuated  and  resides  in  Newport, 
Monmouthshire,  writes  : 

“92  Dock  Street,  Newport,  Mon., 

“ Dec.  7,  1875. 

“ My  dear  Mr.  Acornley, 

“ Your  letter,  informing  us  of  the  removal  by  death 
of  your  beloved  wife,  arrived  here  yesterday,  for 
which  I tender  you  best  thanks. 

“We  were  all  of  us  anxious  tobe  furnished  with  some 
particulars  in  reference  to  that  event,  and  have  had 
• much  pleasure  in  reading  the  particulars  of  her 
peaceful  passage  from  hence  to  the  glory  land,  and 
are  happy  for  the  blessed  assurances  that  she  is  now 
‘Safe  in  the  arms  of  Jesus  ’ — -safe  for  ever  and  ever, 
praise  the  God  of  our  .salvation,  praise  him  for  the 
blessed  One  who  has  overcome  for  us  ‘the  sharpness 
of  death,’  and  opened  ‘ the  kingdom  of  heaven  to 
all  believers.’  ‘ Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in 
the  Lord,’  so  ‘ saith  the  spirit,’  and  we  have  there- 
fore no  reason  nor  room  for  anxiety  or  doubt. 

“ AVe  sincerely  sympathize  with  you  in  your  trouble, 
but  you  must  not  allow  it  to  cast  you  down  ; try  to 
bow  with  the  most  profound  veneration  whilst  with 
faltering  accent  you  utter  the  words  of  one  of  old, 
‘ It  is  the  Lord,  let  him  do  what  seemeth  him  good.’ 

‘ He  is  His  own  interpreter, 

And  He  will  make  it  plain.’ 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife. 


I17 


“You  must  brace  up  your  nerves,  and  look  your 
difficulties  full  at  once,  and  then  cast  your  burden 
wholly  on  the  Lord,  and  he  shall  sustain  thee.  If 
Agnes  is  dead,  Jesus  lives; — Jesus,  the  resurrection 
and  the  life, — ^Jesus,  who  comforted  the  sisters  at 
Bethany, — Jesus,  who  had  compassion  on  the  weep- 
ing widowed  mother,  who  was  following  the  dead 
body  of  her  only  son  to  the  grave,  and  said  to  her 
■“  weep  not,’ gives  now  the  same  advice  to  you;  and 
are  not  the  words  precious  words  ? ‘ Weep  not ! ’ 

you  have  no  real  reason  to  be  distressed  nor  to  be 
gloomy!  ‘The  Lord  liveth,’  and  he  undertakes  to 
be  your  strength  and  your  stay;  yea.  He  also  has  be- 
come your  salvation. 

“ Then  let  not  your  tears  run  down. 

Nor  your  heart  with  sorrow  be  riven ; 

There's  another  gem  in  the  Saviour’s  crown. 

And  another  saint  in  Heaven  I ’ 

■“  Your  motherless  children  are  all  right.  The  Lord 
will  take  care  of  them.  May  they  always  be  under 
the  shadow  of  His  wing.  I do  pray  that  the  all-gra- 
cious  One  may  be  very  near  to  you  and  your  little 
ones,  and  that  you  may  be  graciously  comforted  by 
Himself.  He  can  comfort  as  none  other  can,  I know 
it.  I know  it  from  experience.  As  one  whom  his 
mother  comforteth,  so  will  He  comfort  you.  May 
you  be  drawn  nearer  to  Him.  O,  the  blessedness  of 
coming  nigh  unto  God.  Tell  Jesus  all  your  trouble, 
— tell  it  all  to  Him.  Tell  it  to  Him  confidently,  and 


Ji8  Sttnslnne  Among  the  Mountains ; 

I know  He  will  be  graciously  pleased  to  help  you, 
and  to  provide  for  you  and  your  darling  little  ones  ; 
and  you  slrall  be  able  to  append  your  name  to  the 
very  long  list  of  names-  already  inscribed  under  the 
record,  penned  by  the  sweet  Psalmist  of  Israel,  ''This 
poor  man  cried  and  the  Lord  heard  him,  and  saved 
him  out  of  all  his  troubles.’ 

“ Myself  and  family  present  kindest  sympathies  and 
affe.;tionate  regards,  with  earnest  prayer  for  your 
comfort,  health,  usefulness  and  everlasting  salvation. 

“ I am  yours,  very  truly, 

“ Henry  W heeler.” 

Mr.  Wheeler’s  daughter,  Mrs.  George,  also  writes  t 

“St.  Day,  Cornwall, 

“November  nth,  1875. 

“ My  dear  cousin  John, 

“ I now  make  my  second  attempt  to  write  you 
since  I saw  the  announcement  of  my  dear  Agnes’s 
death.  I cannot  tell  you  how  much  I was  surprised, 
nor  how  full  of  sorrow  my  heart  was;,  poor,  dear  girl! 
I had  always  cherished  a hope  that  I should  see  her 
again  in  this  world ; but  our  lovitrg  Father  orders 
things  differently;  and  knowing,  as  we  do,  that  what 
He  wills  is  best,  however  bitter  it  may  be  for  us,  yet 
Ave  will  strive  to  say  from  our  hearts,  meekly,  ‘Tlry 
will  be  done.’  Oh,  my  dear  cousin,  be  it  yours  to 
cast  your  heavy  ljurden  at  the  Saviour’s  feet.  Open 
to  Him  those  heart  sorrows  with  which  no  earthly 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife,  irp 

friend  can  sympathize ; He  will  bear  your  heavy 
burden,  and  you  too  shall  be  led  to  say,  ‘ He  doeth 
all  things  well.’ 

“ When  you  feel  able  to  write  me  a letter  of  particu- 
lars concerning  the  sad  event,  I shall  feel  grateful  to 
you.  I should  like  to  know  if  she  was  conscious  at  the 
time  of  her  death,  and  what  were  her  last  words.  Dear 
girl,  I wish  I could  have  seen  her,  for  I had  much  to 
talk  over  with  her,  but  now  I must  endeavor  to  meet 
her  in  our  Father’s  house.  Truly,  ‘ God  moves  in  a 
mysterious  way;’  to  my  earthly  eyes  it  seems  as  1 
though  I could  have  been  better  spared  than  she ; 
there  appears  to  be  fewer  ties  to  bind  me  down  here, 
but  she  was  more  meet  for  the  inheritance  than  I. 

“ 1 have  often  grieved  that  the  correspondence  be- 
tween us  had  ceased,  owing  to  my  not  knowing  your 
address  after  you  changed  circuits, 

“ My  little  Sidney  sends  love  and  kisses  to  each  of 
the  dear  little  ones;  and  in  true  cousinly  sincerity,  I 
remain, 

‘■‘Yours  truly, 

“ Jane  Ele.vnor  George.’’ 

Rev.  C.  Spurr,  President  of  our  Eastern  Confer- 
ence, wrote  as  follows  from  Lowell,  Mass; 

“ Dear  brother  Acornley, 

“ I received  your  card  bearing  the  mournful  intel- 
ligence of  the  death  of  your  dear  wife.  How  dreary 


120 


Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains ; 


and  lonely  you  must  feel  ! My  wife  joins  with  me  in 
deep  sympathy  with  yon  in  your  painful  bereave- 
ment; and  we  pray  that  He  in  whom  you  trust  may 
sustain  and  comfort  you  in  your  deep  distress  and 
trouble. 

“ O,  that  I could  say  something  to  soothe  your 
sorrowing  heart ! But  how  well  I know  the  inability 
of  mortals  to  do  this.  Our  warmest  sympathy  is  too 
cool,  and  our  words  too  feeble,  to  reach  the  depths, 
and  remove  the  sorrow  of  a grief  stricken  heart — a 
heart  ready  to  burst  with  anguish  by  the  removal  of 
a loved  one,  and  that  loved  one,  the  light  of  the 
eyes.  I would  say,  however,  in  the  language  of  the 
apostle  Paul,  ‘Sorrow  not  as  those  who  have  no 
hope,  for  if  we  believe  that  God  raised  up  Jesus  from 
the  dead,  even  so  them  also  that  sleep  in  Jesus  will 
God  bring  with  him.’  How  sweet  the  thought!  ‘she 
is  not  dead  but  sleepeth.’  Christ  our  blessed  medi- 
ator shall  again  wake  the  slumbering  clay,  remodel  it 
after  His  own  lovely  likeness,  and  the  soul  shall  put 
it  on  afresh.  Yes,  ‘He  will  change  the  vile  body, 
according  to  the  mighty  working  whereby  He  is  able 
to  subdue  all  things  to  himself.’  My  brother,  let 
these  thoughts  cheer  you  ; look  to  Him  from  whom 
cometh  all  help,  and  draw  from  His  boundless  full- 
ness grace  to  help  in  this  time  of  need.  I would  say 
more;  but  it  would  add  nothing  to  your  comfort. 
May  God,  the  father  of  all  our  mercies,  comfort  you 
in  all  your  tribulation,  and  preserve  you  to  His  heav- 


Or,  the  Young  Pastors  Wife. 


I2I 


enly  kingdom,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord,  is  the 
sincere  prayer  of 

“Your  brother  in  Christ, 

“Charles  Spurr.” 

The  Rev.  H.  G.  Russell,  Missionary  Secretary, 
wrote  from  Girardville,  Schuylkill  Co.,  Pa : 

“ Dear  brother  Acornley, 

“ Being  from  home  last  week,  I did  not  hear  of 
your  sore  trial  until  I returned  this  week,  or  I would 
have  made  an  effort  to  come  up  to  see  you.  Dear 
brother,  I deeply  sympathize  with  you  in  your  afflic- 
tion. But  what  are  all  human  sympathies  compared 
with  that  of  Jesus,  which  I know  you  enjoy.  Human 
friendship  can  only  drop  a tear  or  two ; but  Jesus  is 
touched  with  our  feelings.  He  is  eminently  able  to 
succor  the  tried  ones  of  his  flock,  and  willing  to  aid 
them.  He  is  a very  present  help  in  time  of  need. 
You  cannot  do  better  than  commit  all  to  the  Lord. 
Your  three  little  ones  will  be  cared  for.  Oh  ! to  lose 
a mother’s  care,  no  tongue  can  tell  what  it  is ; but 
the  promise  is  still  good,  ‘ As  thy  day,  so  shall  thy 
strength  be.’  ‘ My  grace  is  sufficient  for  thee.’  ‘I 
will  not  leave  you  comfortless.’  ‘ I will  come  unto 
you.’ 

“ My  wife  said,  when  I came  home,  ‘ O ! I wish  I 
was  near  them,  so  that  I could  do  something  for 
them.’  Could  you  come  and  spend  a week  or  so 
with  us  ? 


J 22 


Sunshine  Among  the  Mountains ; 


“ Dear  brother,  I find  I cannot  write.  I could 
talk  to  you  better.  I am  suffering  from  a very  vio- 
lent cold  ; my  head  pains  me.  It  is  with  difficulty 
I pen  these  few  words.  May  God  bless  you  and 
your  little  ones.  And  by  and  by  may  we  meet  her 
who  is  gone  before,  is  the  prayer  of  your  sincere 
brother  and  sister  in  Christ. 

“ H.  G.  and  M.  Russell.” 

The  Rev.  F.  Gray,  of  Pottsville,  Schuylkill  Co., 
Pa.,  says : 

“ My  dear  brother, 

“ I write  this  in  answer  to  your  card,  which  bore 
the  sad  news  of  your  heavy  loss.  My  heart  deeply 
sympathizes  with  you.  I can  only  commend  you  to 
that  Being  who  has  been 

‘ Ovir  help  in  ages  past. 

Our  hope  for  years  to  come. 

Our  shelter  from  tlie  stormy  blast. 

And  our  abiding  home.’ 

“ Oh  ! my  brother,  try  and  look  to  Crod.  There  is 
consolation  in  the  words  of  the  apostle,  ‘ We  sorrow 
not  as  those  without  hope;’  my  brother,  you  have  a 
glorious  hope,  I pray  God  may  give  you  enduring 
grace.  ‘ The  Lord  is  a very  present  help  in  trouble.’. 
‘ This  poor  man  cried  and  the  Lord  heard  him  and 
delivered  him  out  of  all  his  troubles.’  I'his  God  is 
your  God,  and  he  will  be  your  guide  even  unto  death. 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife.  12 J 

I have  no  doubt,  my  brother,  on  my  mind,  about  your 
wife’s  safety ; and  this  is  a source  of  great  conso- 
lation. Try  and  reconcile  yourself  to  God’s  will. 
‘Thy  will,  O God,  be  done  ! ’ My  father  and  mother 
are  here  on  a visit ; they  wish  to  be  remembered  very 
kindly  to  you.  My  heart  is  full  at  present ; I hope 
to  hear  from  you  as  soon  as  you  have  an  opportunity 
to  write.  Connexional  committee  meets  next  week. 
I wish  you  were  able  to  be  with  us.  I should  like 
to  see  you,  especially  just  now.  The  Lord  help  and 
bless  you  for  Christ’s  sake.  Regard  me  as  your  true 
friend  and  well  wisher.  My  wife  and  parents  join 
with  me  in  love  to  you  and  the  dear  children. 

“ I am  yours  in  Christ  Jesus, 

“ Francis  Gray.” 

The  Rev.  W.  B.  Bache  of  Hazelton,  Luzerne  Co., 
Pa.,  says : “ My  dear  brother,  put  your  trust  in  that 
Saviour  whom  you  have  so  earnestly  presented  to 
others.  I pray  that  our  heavenly  Father  may  support 
you  with  his  grace,  and  guide  you  by  his  wisdom. 
O,  may  he  sanctify  this  providence,  and  may  Christ 
himself  still  be  the  great  desire  of  your  heart.  Since 
he  has  taken  away  the  desire  of  your  eyes,  and  the 
helpmeet  of  your  life ; may  you  realize  the  fulfill- 
ment of  his  promise,  ‘I  am  with  you  always,  even 
unto  the  end.’  Yes,  my  brother,  in  joy  and  in  sor- 
row ; in  health  and  affliction  ; on  land  and  on  i?ea. 
Oh  ! what  a friend. 


J24  Sunshine  Among  the  Mou7ifatns  j 

“I  pray  that  your  three  motherless  children  may  be 
the  object  of  our  everlasting  Father’s  love  and  care. 
They  and  you,  my  dear  brother,  now  need  the  con- 
tinued sympathy  of  Godly  friends  ; and  especially 
that  of  our  never-dying,  and  ever-living  friend,  Jesus 
Christ.  May  the  blessing  of  Heaven  be  with  you, 
and  the  God  of  Jacob  be  your  refuge.  Amen. 

“ I remain  yours,  in  Him  who  is  the  best  centre  of 
our  love  and  union,  the  Lord  our  righteousness. 

“William  B.  Bache.” 

Expressions  of  sympathy  were  also  received  from 
Rev.  M.  Harvey  of  Ohltown,  Ohio,  from  Howard 
Daisley,  Esq.,  book  steward,  of  Brooklyn,  N.  Y., 
and  many  others.  An  old  and  valued  friend  of  our 
youth,  in  Rochdale,  England,  wrote  as  follows  : — 

“ My  dear  old  friend, 

“ I have  heard  of  your  great  trouble, 

and  I trust  you  will  not  take  it  amiss  if  I tender 
you  my  sincere  sympathies  in  your  affliction ; even 
you  whose  work  and  duty  it  is  to  bind  the  broken 
hearted,  and  speak  words  of  comfort  to  those  in 
trouble  and  distress,  will  perhaps  feel  encourged  by 
receiving  a word  of  sympathy  from  an  old  friend  far 
away.  ‘All  things’  (says  the  good  old  book)  ‘work 
together  for  good,’  to  them  that  love  and  serve  Him. 
'I'his  may  be  easy  to  preach  ; may  you  have  grace 
given  vou  in  this  dark  hour  to  feel  and  realize  the 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor  s Wife. 


125 


truthfulness  of  its  teachings.  I pray  that  it  may 
lead  you  to  greater  devotion,  and  a higher  standard 
of  usefulness;  and  that  you  may  more  and  more  be- 
come a workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed, 
rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth.  May  the  blessing 
of  our  common  Father  be  with  you,  and  give  you 
that  grace  you  so  much  need  at  present 

“If  convenient,  please  write  me  a few  lines,  they 
will  be  thankfully  received.  Mrs.  Harris  joins  me  in 
kindest  remembrance,  with  every  wish  for  your  future 
success. 

“Truly  Yours, 

“R.  Harris.” 

We  felt  at  this  time  an  uncontrollable  longing  to  see 
the  land  of  our  birth  ; and  having  suffered  consider- 
ably from  nervous  prostration,  and  being  physically 
and  mentally  unwell,  we  hoped  that  a voyage  across 
the  Atlantic  would  improve  our  health.  We  also 
thought  that  if  we  could  place  our  two  eldest  children 
in  the  care  of  their  grandmother — in  compliance  with 
the  request  of  her  whom  we  now  mourn — we  could 
return  to  our  work,  and  spend  the  residue  of  our 
days  contentedly  in  our  blessed  Master’s  service. 
Accordingly,  we  left  the  baby  with  Mr.  and  Mrs. 
Tipton,  of  Morris  Run,  who  kindly  cared  for  him  as 
though  he  had  been  their  own  child,  until  death 
snatched  him  from  their  embrace.  It  is  impossible 
for  us  to  express,  much  less  discharge  the  obligation 


126 


Sunshine  Amo/ig  the  JiTonntains ; 


we  feel  for  their  great  kindness,  and  unwearied  and 
self-sacrificing  attentions  to  us  and  ours.  May  the 
God  of  all  grace  ever  bless  them. 

On  the  8th  of  December,  1875,  stepped  on 
board — with  two  children — the  good  ship  “Algeria,” 
and  after  ten  days,  landed  in  Liverpool ; and  the 
same  evening  were  in  the  midst  of  our  dear  friends 
and  relatives.  While  in  England  we  were  the  recip- 
ient of  a great  number  of  letters.  An  extract  or  two 
will  illustrate. 

The  Rev.  James  Crompton,  of  Haslingden,  says  : 
“ Dear  brother, 

“ I am  glad  to  have  a line  from  you.  I saw  in  the 
paper  an  account  of  tlie  death  of  your  dear  wife,  and  I 
felt  as  if  an  old  friend  had  departed.  1 truly  sym- 
pathize with  you  under  your  stroke  of  bereavement. 
I know  well  what  it  is ! I should  be  gh.d  to  see 
you try  to  come  as  far.” 

The  Rev.  M.  Shorrock,  of  Walkden,  near  Man- 
chester, writes  : 

“ Dear  brother  Acornley, 

“ I was  much  pleased  to  hear  from 

you  and  to  learn  that  you  were  at  home  again ; 
though  I deeply  regret  the  cause.  I was  sorry  to 
hear  that  you  had  lost  your  dear  wife.  I sincerely 
sympathize  with  you  in  your  loss Please 


Or,  the  Young  Pastor's  Wife. 


127 


let  me  know  when  you  propose  going  back,  for  if  you 
cannot  come  here  I will  try  to  get  to  Rochdale. 
Mrs.  S.  joins  me  in  kind  regards  to  you  and  your 
mother  and  family. 

“ Yours  as  ever, 

“ M.  Shorrock.” 

Manifestations  of  kindness  and  sympathy  were  also 
received  from  Rev.  William  Harris,  of  Stockport, 
Rev.  John  Mould,  of  Rochdale,  and  many  others. 

We  cannot  \ ery  well  finish  our  task  of  love  without 
recording  e.xtracts  from  letters  received  from  two  of 
our  flock  in  Morris  Run.  The  first  one  from  Mr. 
George  Palmer,  we  value,  as  it  comes  from  one  who, 
at  that  time  was  laboring  under  deep  conviction  of 
sin  ; but  who  since  then  has  ventured  his  all  on  the 
atonement  of  Christ,  and  thus  has  experienced  the 
blessedness  of  those  whose  sins  are  forgiven.  The 
other  is  from  one  who,  during  our  two  years  stay  in 
Morris  Run.  showed  much  kindness  to  ourself  and 
Mrs.  Acornley. 

“ Dear  friend, 

“ I was  glad  to  hear  from  you,  and  hope  you  are 
getting  better ; although  I am  afraid  you  are  not  do- 
ing very  well,  by  the  letter  you  wrote  Tipton.  Dear 
Mr.  Acornley,  I don’t  think  you  ought  to  fret  about 
anything  ; you  are  on  friendly  terms  with  the  Lord, 
and  that  ought  to  balance  all  your  troubles.  I think 
I will  turn  preacher  for  once,  and  see  how  I can 


128 


Sunshine  A mo  Jig  tiie  Mountains  ; 


preach  to  you.  Now,  when  I discover  that  the  Lord 
has  freely  forgiven  me  all  my  sins,  it  seems  to  me 
I should  be  ashamed  to  doubt  any  one  single  promise 
in  the  Bible,  and  if  so,  please  look  at  the  following  : 
everything  ‘works  together  for  good  to  them  that 
love  God,’  and  ‘ Our  light  affliction  which  is  but  for 
a moment  worketh  for  us  a far  more  exceeding  and 
eternal  weight  of  glory  and  if  you  trouble  for  your 
children  at  all  remember  this,  ‘ Whatsoever  ye  shall 
ask  the  Father  in  my  name,  he  may  give  it  you.’ 
Again,  ‘The  fervent  effectual  jtrayer  of  a righteous 
man  availeth  much.’  Now,  dear  friend,  if  I was  a 
Christian,  I should  certainly  expect  all  these  promises 
fulfilled  ; and  should  believe  the  Lord  would  do  just 
what  he  says.  And  I should  do  just  what  you  have 
often  told  me  to  do,  ‘trust  everything  to  the  Lord.’ 
Dear  sir,  although  I should  verv  much  like  to  see  you 
back  again,  I hope  you  won’t  come  back  yet,  if  you 
think  you  can  get  any  benefit  by  staying  away.  Write 
again  when  you  get  time,  and  God  bless  you. 

“Yours  truly, 

“George  Palmer.” 

“ P.  S.  The  reason  I wrote  in  this  strain  is  because 
I thought  you  were  considerably  down  when  I read 
Tipton’s  letter. — G.  P.” 

“ Dear  brother, 

“ I am  sorry  to  learn  that  you  are  not  improving 
in  strength  ; but  hope  when  this  note  reaches  you. 


Or,  the  Yoimg  Pastor  s Wife,  i2g 

you  will  feel  better.  Dear  brother,  look  to  God  for 
your  strength,  and  ask  Him  to  give  you  mighty  faith 
in  His  precious  promises.  He  requests  you  and  I 
to  cast  our  burden  upon  Him  and  He  will  sustain 
us.  Do  not  suffer  past  occurrences,  trials  and  diffi- 
culties to  gloom  and  injure  your  future  usefulness. 
God’s  promises  are  yea  and  amen ; and  everything 
works  for  good  to  those  that  love  Him.  Therefore, 
my  dear  brother,  lay  hold  on  your  future  engage- 
ments with  Christian  boldness,  and  ask  your  heav- 
enly Father  to  throw  light  into  the  dark  future, 
such  light  as  will  enable  you  to  steer  clear  of  the 
rocks  in  life’s  ocean.  Let  your  sails  be  hoisted  to 
the  gospel  breeze ; King  Emanuel  is  your  captain, 
who  will  lead  you  at  last  triumphantly  into  the  port 
of  glory,  to  join  in  the  melodious  chorus  of  Moses 
and  the  Lamb,  with  those  dear  ones  who  have  gone 
before  you.  May  God  bless  you,  dear  brother.  I 
pray  for  you  every  day,  and  shall  continue  to  do  so. 

I shall  do  all  that  lays  in  my  power  to 

make  your  home  cheerful  and  pleasant  when  you 

return The  services  of  the  sanctuary 

are  kept  on  regularly.  The  members  and  the  con- 
gregation are  very  anxious  to  see  you  return. 

Cheer  up,  brother,  and  buckle  on  both 

temporal  and  spiritual  harness.  Take  your  position 
in  the  ranks  of  your  King’s  army,  with  a manly 

spirit,  and  as  a valiant  soldier  of  the  cross 

“Yours,  as  ever,  faithful, 

“William  C.  Jenkins.’’ 


IJO 


SfiusJiine  Among  the  Mountains. 


We  must  now  stay  our  hand.  Our  task  of  love  is 
done.  May  it  not  be  in  vain;  may  the  writer  and 
reader  finally  meet  the  sainted  one — whose  life 
])icture  we  have  feebly  attempted  to  draw — in  the 
“ Bright  forever.”  Amen. 

Let  sorrow  now  no  more  prevail  to  rob  my  soul  of  peace ; 

The  longest  night  will  end  in  day,  and  all  my  trials  cease : 

No  tear  bedims  the  g'olden  courts  where  I shall  soon  appear — 

‘ Tn  heaven  above,  where  all  Is  love,  there’ll  be  no  sorrow  there  !’ 

God  of  all  comfort ! let  this  truth  Thy  suffering-  pilgrims  cheer ; 

Soon  shall  we  reach  our  heavenly  home ; each  day  it  draws  more 
near. 

When  feeble  sight  no  comfort  views,  let  faith  the  truth  declare — 

‘ In  heaven  above,  where  all  is  love,  there’ll  be  no  sorrow  there !’  ” 


THE  END. 


DATE  DUE 

DEMCO  38-297 

